Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Election Commission on Sunday, saying it has used the power of technology to strengthen people’s power and also shown commitment to a fair polling process.
Modi’s praise for the poll body in his monthly Mann ki Baat broadcast came ahead of its foundation day on January 25, observed as the National Voters’ Day, and amid frequent criticism from the opposition for its alleged pro-BJP bias.
Noting that January 25 is important because on this day the Election Commission of India was established, Modi said Constitution makers have accorded a very important place to the EC and equally to people’s participation in democracy.
“When the first elections were held in the country in 1951-52, some people were doubtful whether the country’s democracy would survive. But our democracy proved all the apprehensions wrong - after all, India is the mother of democracy,” he said.
In the past decades as well, the country’s democracy has strengthened and prospered, the prime minister asserted.
“I would also like to thank the EC, which has modernised and strengthened our voting process from time to time. The Commission has used the power of technology to give more strength to the power of the people. I congratulate the EC for its commitment to fair elections,” he said.
“I would like to urge the people of the country to use their right to vote, always, in maximum numbers and also become a part of the country’s democratic process and strengthen this process,” he said in his first Mann Ki Baat of 2025 which was held on the third Sunday this month as against the last, which is usually the case, as next Sunday is Republic Day.
His remarks come amid Opposition parties’ criticism and questioning of the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Modi’s remarks can be seen as an endorsement of the EVMs.
Pointing out that this year’s Republic Day is very special as it is the 75th anniversary of the Indian Republic, Modi said, “I salute all those great personalities of the Constituent Assembly, who gave us our sacred Constitution. During the Constituent Assembly, long deliberations were held on many subjects. Those discussions, the thoughts of the members of the Constituent Assembly, their words, are our great heritage.”
The prime minister played short audio clips of three members of constituent assembly. Chairman Rajendra Prasad, B R Ambedkar and Syama Prasad Mookerjee – to highlight the values they promoted.
Speaking of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, he said people of various castes and regions have come together. There is no discrimination of any kind, he added.
He also pointed out that this month the first anniversary of the ‘Pran Pratishtha Parv’ of Ram Lalla was celebrated on the day of ‘Paush Shukla Dwadashi’.
Modi further said that in the beginning of 2025 itself, India has attained many historic achievements in the field of space.
During the broadcast, he also highlighted that a few days ago, Indian scientists have undertaken space docking of satellites.
Modi also highlighted how IIT Madras’s ExTeM Centre is working on new technologies for manufacturing in space.
Ahead of Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary on January 23, Modi hailed his valour.