Governor angubhai Patel said that a free and fair election system, along with active voter participation, forms the cornerstone of democracy. He appreciated the Election Commission for its commendable efforts in this regard. The Governor also urged the commission to focus on increasing voter turnout by identifying and addressing low-voting centers. Governor Patel made these remarks while addressing the 15th National Voter's Day program held at the Kushabhau Thackerey Auditorium on Saturday. During the event, he administered the Voter's Day oath to the citizens present in the programme.
Governor Mangubhai Patel honoured officers, employees, and competition winners for their outstanding contributions to the election process. EPIC cards were distributed to new voters, and the Governor inaugurated a photo exhibition organized by the Commission. The programme also featured a video message from Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
Patel highlighted that in 52 districts of the state, women's voter registration has surpassed that of men, reflecting the growing inclusivity of democracy. He urged the Election Commission to identify polling booths with consistently low voter turnout, engage with the local population to understand the reasons, and raise awareness about the significance of voting rights. He also called for innovative efforts to boost voter participation in these areas.
The Governor praised the Election Commission for effectively utilizing information technology to resolve 99.9 percent of applications received during the Summary Review Program-2025 online. He credited this achievement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary Digital India initiative. The Governor lauded the unprecedented participation of voters, especially women and differently abled voters, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He expressed gratitude to the people of the state, voters, and the Election Commission team for their efforts in strengthening democracy.
Patel emphasized the importance of a pure and complete voter list for ensuring a free and fair election process. He urged every eligible voter to actively participate in elections and exercise their right to vote with fairness and fearlessness. He noted that maintaining the integrity of the electoral process is not only the responsibility of the Election Commission but also a collective duty of all citizens.
Governor Patel urged the Election Commission to encourage voters to rise above misconceptions and discrimination based on caste, religion, language, or region when exercising their right to vote. He emphasized educating voters about the importance of fulfilling their constitutional duties by electing capable and ethical candidates. Governor Patel said that such actions are essential for the nation's progress toward becoming a developed country, instilling a sense of pride in voters.
Mangubhai Patel honoured several officials for their outstanding contributions to the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Among those recognized were: Collector and District Election Officer Jhabua, Neha Meena, Collector and District Election Officer Ratlam, Rajesh Batham and Collector and District Election Officer Ashoknagar, Subhash Kumar Dwivedi for successfully conducting elections. Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh and Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan for innovation and excellence in SVEEP activities. Shivpuri Collector Ravindra Kumar Chaudhary, and Superintendent of Police, Aman Singh Rathore, former Collector of Sheopur, Lokesh Kumar Jangid, and Superintendent of Police, Abhishek Anand and Bhind Collector Sanjeev Srivastava, and Superintendent of Police, Asit Yadav for ensuring excellent law and order. ADG Law and Order and Security, and State Police Nodal Officer, Anshuman Singh, was honoured for his exemplary work in maintaining law and order at the state level during the elections.
