Context: 

The National Voters Day has been celebrated on January 25 every year since 2011 to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India.

National Voters Day 2024: Key Highlights

• Award Ceremony: The President presented Best Electoral Practices Awards to State and District level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections during 2023.
• A Commemorative postage stamp themed “Inclusive Elections” released ato mark 75th year of  service of ECI to the nation.

About 14th National Voters Day

• Theme: Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For Sure’
• Significance: 
  • To encourage, facilitate and maximize enrolment, especially for new voters.
  • To spread awareness among voters and promote informed participation in the electoral process.

Importance of Voting

• Exercise of Constitutional Right: The right to Vote is a constitutional right that allows citizens to choose their representatives who will make decisions on their behalf. (Article 326)
• Voting is a medium for change: If citizens of India think that the present government or representative is not doing their duties satisfactorily, they can show their dissatisfaction and elect different representatives to represent them.
• Political Empowerment: People have a sense of ‘ownership of government’ through Electoral Participation. 
• Civic Responsibility: To make the government more responsible and accountable, Voting is the foundation for the entire system and structure of a country for development.
• Voting is an Honour: By voting, people can decide the direction of change and development. To express oneself i.e. Voting helps people express their thoughts on a country, local constituency or about a candidate through the ballot box.

Conclusion

Abraham Lincoln’s idea and philosophy of Democracy i.e. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people, can be translated to reality only through electoral participation. 

News Source: PIB

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