Governor Mangubhai Patel has said that if free and fair elections are the hope of democracy, then aware voters are the key to its success. The right to vote is the power by which the voter gives life to democracy. He said that the generation around the year 2000 and beyond would shape the future of democracy for almost a century. It is necessary that the seeds of democracy should be sown in the students at the school level itself.
Patel was addressing the gathering after the inauguration of the exhibition on National Voters Day at Kushabhau International Convention Centre on Wednesday. He also administered the voters’ oath to the people present. He honoured the officers-employees engaged in the election duties who did outstanding work. He awarded the winners of various competitions conducted by the Election Commission of India. Voters above eighty years of age Jitendra Singh, Manju Singh, transgender voter Sanjana Singh and Nazar Thakur were felicitated by presenting shawl and shrifal.
The Governor distributed Epic Cards to 10 new voters. The coffee table book "The Power of One Vote" published by the Commission was released in the programme. Video message of Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India was broadcast. A song released by the Commission on National Voters' Day and a video film made on International Day of Elderly Persons were also screened.
Patel said that we are proud that we all are citizens of the world's largest democracy. It is necessary that all of us, the basis of democracy, compulsorily participate in the election process with integrity. He told that Shyam Saran Negi, passed away at the age of 106, who was included as a voter in the first general election in the year 1951, never missed voting in his long life.
The younger generation should take inspiration from him. Patel said that extensive efforts are made by the Election Commission of India to ensure that not a single citizen of the country is deprived of the right to vote. It is necessary that every citizen imbibes the theme of National Voters' Day “Vote Jaisa Kuch Nahi, Vote Zaroor Dalenge Hum” with utmost sincerity and honesty. He appreciated the works of Election Commission for providing various opportunities for online application, fixing qualifying dates four times a year for adding the names, distributing voter ID cards through speed post, including the Divyangjan especially tribal groups and left out eligible voters of transgender group in the electoral rolls, providing postal ballot facility to senior citizens above 80 years, Divyangjan and Covid affected voters and honouring voters above 100 years of age He congratulated the voters for better use of information technology, more registration of women than men and activeness in getting voter ID linked.
Former Chief Election Commissioner of India OP Rawat said that the Election Commission of India has a special place in the efforts to ensure universal suffrage and voter empowerment.
He told that the C-VIGIL app of the Election Commission has made the voter of India the most powerful voter. Anyone can file a complaint by uploading photos and videos on the app. Mentioning the success of the app, he said that earlier about 99 percent of the complaints received by the Election Commission were baseless, but in the year 2019, out of 3 lakh complaints received from the app, 95 percent were found correct.
He said that the Commission is constantly trying to use modern technology for the betterment of the election process. He paid tribute to Sukumar Sen, the first Election Commissioner of India, while recalling the challenges of universal suffrage and the achievement of conducting fearless, neutral elections in the first General Election held in 1951.