National Voters Day 2016

25th January is celebrated as National Voters’ Day through out India at around 7 lac locations. Unbelievable but true! On this day, the entire nation reverberates with the festivities of democracy as crores of Indians celebrate their right to vote!
National Voter’s Day aims at increasing the enrolment of voters, especially encourage participation of newly eligible young voter (18-19 yr old) and ensure universal adult franchise. 25th January, the Foundation Day of Election Commission of India (ECI), was declared as the National Voters’ Day in the year 2011. Since then, National Voters Day has been celebrated all over India with gusto and has become more festive with each passing year.
This year marks the sixth celebration of NVD and Election Commission of India started the NVD celebration with ‘Matdata Mahotsav’ (Grand Celebrations of the voter). Matdata Mahotsav, a four-day gala event (14th January to 17th January 2016) was organized at Central Park, Connaught Place - the heart of Delhi. The event showcased an exhibition of best practices from different states of India, other countries & partners of ECI along with a display on preparations & processes carried out by the ECI to bring the ballot to the people. Moreover, music and dance, street plays and games, debates and discussions, quizzes and contests as well as performances by the states and ECI state icons filled the air with celebration.
Matdata Mahotsav, a tribute by the ECI to the enlightened voter of our nation, was a grand success and paved way for NVD celebration on 25th January 2016.

The theme of NVD 2016 is ‘Inclusive and qualitative participation’ reiterating the commitment towards reaching out to the last voter and promoting informed and ethical voting. The slogan 'No Voter to be left behind' has been coined to further emphasis the focus on inclusiveness. The National Awards are being conferred for excellence, proficiency and innovation in election processes and procedures. These awards recognize contribution by election machinery, government department/ agency/ PSU, CSO and media.