25 January - National Voters Day: Empowering Democracy through Participation

 

The miraculously successful Indian Democracy owes its genesis to the Voters, let us hail them all on National Voters Day, today. Today, 25 January, we celebrate the 14th National Voters Day. Commemorating National Voters Day began in 2010, which marked the sixtieth year of the founding of the Election Commission of India, which was established on January 25, 1950. Today, as we commemorate National Voters Day, it is pertinent to remember that this day stands as a testament to the pivotal role played by the electorate in shaping the destiny of a nation. In the vast and diverse tapestry of India's democratic landscape, this day serves as a reminder of the extraordinary significance that 'we the people' hold in fostering a vibrant and thriving democracy.

Central to the beauty and vibrancy of the Indian democracy is the Indian electorates - the rich and mighty, the powerful and powerless, the poor and the insignificant, the lettered and unlettered, sheltered and unsheltered, the males, females and the trans gender’s, the believers and non-believers, Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, religious and non-religious, young, middle-aged, old and the very old - all standing as equals, each rubbing shoulders with one another, in the true spirit of equality and humanity first, who make our democracy thrive. While we celebrate this day today, let us reemphasize the significance of voters for the success of the Indian democracy.

 In the early years post-independence, India faced challenges associated with low literacy rates, just 16 % when we attained independence in 1947. Despite this drawback, the framers of the Indian Constitution, led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his colleagues, demonstrated extraordinary foresight and a deep commitment to democratic principles. They recognized that the essence of democracy lies in inclusivity, irrespective of educational background. Notably, the recognition of women's equality in the right to vote is a significant feat. At a time when even advanced democracies were grappling with gender disparities in voting rights, India stood out by ensuring universal adult suffrage, including women, from the very inception of its republic. This progressive stance not only set a powerful precedent but also contributed to shaping a more inclusive and egalitarian society.

In the broader global context, India's approach to voting rights becomes particularly noteworthy. Many established democracies took considerable time to grant women the right to vote, with some not achieving full suffrage until the mid-20th century. India's commitment to equal voting rights, regardless of gender or educational background, showcased a progressive vision that went beyond the prevalent norms of its time. If we look back in time and see what our status was when we attained our independence, not many would have predicted – including the optimists - that India as a democracy would survive for more than a few decades or so.

 What the odds were for India succeeding as a thriving democracy, when we attained independence, can best be seen when we juxtapose Indian democracy as a start-up company in 1947. Not even the most adventurous and risk-taking Venture Capitalists would have considered investing in the Indian democracy. More so since there were many doomsday predictions made by the British, evidence of which can be seen from the last British commander in chief of the Indian Army, Gen. Claude Auchinleck. He wrote “The Sikhs may try to set up a separate regime. I think they probably will and that will be only the start of a general decentralization and break-up of the idea that India is a country, whereas it is a subcontinent as varied as Europe. The Punjabi is as different from a Madrassi as a Scot is from an Italian. The British tried to consolidate it but achieved nothing permanent. No one can make a nation out of a continent of many nations.”

Gen. Claude Auchinleck was not the sole voice to make such a doomsday prediction for Indian democracy. When we attained independence, India was a nation within nations with as many as 565 princely states and many more divisions. Helped by Sardar Patel, India was united to carve out the geographical and political map that we see today. However, in those early days of our democracy, doomsday predictions for India and Indian democracy were dime a dozen. India would not survive as a single nation, was one common observation by most Western observers, let alone becoming a successful democracy. One of the former British officials, who witnessed the first general elections in India in 1952 wrote “a future and more enlightened age will view with astonishment the absurd farce of recording the votes of millions of illiterate people.”

From such negativity and doomsday predictions, Indian democracy has passed through periods of trials and tribulations to emerge triumphant and today when we are commemorating the 14th National Voters Day, while commending ourselves and patting us on our back, we must resolve to spread the message of the importance of voting in a democracy and each of us must go out to exercise our democratic rights without fear or favour.

The essence of democracy lies in the active participation of its citizens in the electoral process. National Voters Day serves as a platform to recognize the power vested in the hands of the common man—the power to elect representatives who will voice their concerns, aspirations, and dreams. It underscores the idea that every vote cast is a brick in the foundation of a nation's future.

 India, with its diverse population and myriad challenges, relies on the collective wisdom of its citizens to navigate the complex web of governance. National Voters Day, therefore, becomes not just a celebration of the right to vote but also a call to duty, urging each citizen to exercise this right responsibly. 

As we reflect on the relevance of this day, it becomes imperative for us to look back on the percentage of voters who exercised their franchise during the general elections. This data reveal that in the very first general elections conducted in 1952, India recorded an impressive 61.2% of votes and this number continued to be quite impressive hovering around 60% or so (62.2% in 1957, 55.42 in 1962, 61.33 in 1967, 55.29 in 1971, 60.49 in 1977, 56.92 in 1980, 63.56 in 1984, 61.95 in 1989, 56.93 in 1991, 57.94 in 1996, 61.97 in 1998, 59.99 in 1999). The voting percentage fell abruptly to below 50% for the first time in the fourteenth general election held in 2004, to 48.74%.  This was the time when it was realised that efforts were needed to create awareness among visitors about the importance of voting.  

The first-ever National Voters’ Day was celebrated on January 25, 2011, to encourage more young voters to take part in the electoral process. The then Union government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved a proposal of the law ministry to declare a National Voters Day. The then information and broadcasting minister, Ms. Ambika Soni pointed observed that new voters, who attained the age of 18, were showing less interest in getting enrolled in the electoral rolls. To address this issue, the Election Commission decided to launch a nationwide effort to identify all eligible voters who reach the age of 18 on January 1 of each year in all polling stations across India. All such new voters were to be enrolled and given the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) on January 25 every year.

National Voters Day seems to have had some positive impact. The 16^th general election held in 2014 witnessed 66.40% voting and in the 19^th general election, held in 2019, the voting percentage witnessed a record 66.40%, the highest ever in the history of Indian general elections. This evidences that we must acknowledge that the health of any democracy is directly proportional to the level of civic engagement. The act of casting a vote is not merely a civic duty but a solemn responsibility toward the preservation and enhancement of democratic values. It is through this participation that the true spirit of democracy is upheld.

The appeal to the people of India is a resounding one—to recognize the power they wield as voters and to embrace the responsibility that comes with it. Elections are not just events; they are the mechanisms through which the collective will of the people finds expression. In every vote cast, lies the potential to shape policies, influence governance, and contribute to the larger narrative of the nation.

On this National Voters Day, let us pledge to be conscientious citizens, mindful of the impact our choices can have on the trajectory of our country. Let the ballot box be our voice, and let our collective voice resonate with the principles of justice, equality, and progress. Each vote is a stepping stone towards a more inclusive and prosperous India.

As we celebrate National Voters Day, let us not only recognize the importance of our voting rights but also pay homage to the remarkable journey that transformed India from a British colony to a sovereign republic. The struggles of the past serve as a poignant reminder of the responsibilities we bear as citizens to uphold the principles enshrined in our constitution.

On this occasion, let us renew our commitment to the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity that form the bedrock of our republic. May each vote cast be a tribute to the spirit of democracy that defines the essence of our great nation.

Images: Courtesy  Internet 

 Jai Hind. Long live Indian Democracy and the people of India.