VP Naidu urges citizens, EC to ensure 75 pc voter turnout for making elections more inclusive

In a message on the occasion of the 12th National Voters Day, Naidu stressed that no voter should be left behind and urged the citizens to judge the contestants in the elections on merit.

As Naidu is in home isolation in Hyderabad after testing corona positive, his address was read out at the event in New Delhi.

Referring to the increase in voter turnout from 44.87 per cent in the first general elections to Lok Sabha during 1951-52 to the highest ever 67.40 per cent for the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019, marking an increase of 50 per cent in voting, Naidu complimented all stakeholders for the same.

Alluding to the sustained efforts of the Election Commission of India in this regard striving for excellence during the 70 years of the country's electoral journey, Naidu hailed the Commission as a credible, responsive and forward-looking institution every votary of democracy can legitimately be proud of.

The Vice President noted that the challenge before the Election Commission is to ensure a steady increase in voting in every election to make our electoral democracy more inclusive by addressing the barriers to voter participation.

"In the 75th year of our Independence, let us resolve to leave no voter behind and aim to increase the voter turnout to at least 75 per cent in the next general elections. Let each one realize that vote is not only a right but a responsibility. We, as a nation, must think and arrive at a consensus to have simultaneous polls to all the three tiers of federal set up and move towards better governance by focusing our attention on all-around development of our people," he said.

Naidu referred to the substantial 8 per cent increase in voter turnout from 58.21 per cent in 2009 general elections to 66.44 per cent in 2014, suggesting that it is feasible to reach a 75 per cent voter turnout target from 67.40 per cent in 2019.

He complimented the Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative of the Election Commission launched in 2009 for improving voter participation.

He further expressed delight over women voting more than men in the 2019 general elections by a margin of 0.17 per cent, for the first time in 70 years, ending the gender gap in the country. (In 1962 general elections, men voter turnout was 16.71 per cent more than that of women)

Naidu stressed on the need for a more swift resolution of election disputes and the creation of a more informed citizenry empowered to judge the merits of each candidate in the elections. He urged the Commission to further explore innovative ways in which technology can enhance the credibility and accessibility of the voting process. He also referred to high voter turnout in the range of 74 per cent to 84 per cent in the elections to five State Assembly held under COVID-19 protocol last year.

The 12th National Voters Day is being organized on the theme "Making our Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative".

January 25 is being so celebrated as the Election Commission was set up on January 25, 1950, a day before the country became a Republic with the Constitution coming into force from January 26, 1950. (ANI)