NEW DELHI: In a significant address marking the eve of National Voters Day, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that pure electoral rolls form the bedrock of democracy. He highlighted the remarkable success of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Bihar, which resulted in zero appeals against the final electoral roll and was followed by a record-breaking 67% voter turnout in the subsequent state assembly elections.
Strengthening Electoral Integrity and Accessibility
Kumar, delivering a televised message to the nation, stated that the Election Commission, in its renewed and dynamic form, has made substantial strides. The commission has not only ensured the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls but also enhanced accessibility for every voter. It has effectively addressed numerous electoral challenges, thereby fortifying each stage of the electoral process to make it more robust, transparent, and trustworthy.
Youth Engagement and Combating Misinformation
While urging young electors to participate actively in voting without fail, Kumar called upon them to lead the fight against misinformation, disinformation, and false narratives. "For this, it is essential that they remain fully informed about electoral processes and the various initiatives of the Election Commission, and actively disseminate accurate information among their friends, families, and communities," he underlined.
Mentioning inspiring initiatives by young voters in regions like the Attappady tribal area of Palakkad, Kerala, and Banamalipur in Khurda, Odisha, to raise electoral awareness, Kumar announced a dedicated, youth-centric programme. This initiative, set to launch this year, aims to provide young citizens with a clear understanding of the electoral process and connect them directly with the Commission’s activities.
Key Initiatives and Global Recognition
Outlining nearly 30 initiatives undertaken by the EC in the past year, the CEC highlighted several prominent efforts:
- The SIR process is currently progressing smoothly in 12 other states and union territories.
- Capacity building of election officials through intensive training of 5,000 booth level officers (BLOs) and BLO supervisors at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi.
- The launch of the ECINet App, which consolidates over 40 different EC applications onto a single digital platform.
- Voter-facilitation measures such as the introduction of mobile deposit facilities at polling stations and capping the number of electors per polling station at 1,200.
Kumar also drew attention to India's growing prominence on the global electoral map, noting that the country's strong and transparent electoral system has garnered international acclaim. "The entrustment of the chairship of International IDEA to India is a matter of immense pride for us all," he said. He referenced the successful India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM), held from January 21 to 23, which saw participation from representatives of election management bodies and ambassadors from over 70 countries.
