New Delhi: In a move to encourage the youth of the nation to exercise their franchise, the Government of India decided to observe January 25 as the National Voters’ Day. It was started in 2011 to mark the foundation of the Election Commission and today, India is celebrating ninth National Voters’ Day. 

This day is observed to promote people’s participation in voting and in the elections, and to increase voter enrolment.

As the 2019 Lok Sabha elections inch closer, the theme of this year’s National Voters’ Day (NVD) is ‘No voter to be left behind’. It is being celebrated at more than six lakh locations covering around 10 lakh polling stations across the country. New voters shall be felicitated and handed over their EPIC (Elector Photo Identity Card) in the NVD function.

The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to encourage, facilitate and maximise the enrolment, especially for the new voters. Dedicated to the voters of the country, the day is utilised to spread awareness among voters for promoting informed participation in the electoral process.

The National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices will be conferred on Officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections. 

President Ram Nath Kovind will be the chief guest at the main function to be organised by Election Commission in New Delhi. 

AIR Correspondent reports that Chief Election Commissioners and senior officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Russia and Sri Lanka will also grace the occasion.

All the citizens of India residing within the country are considered general electors. A person should be at least 18 years of age on the qualifying date of January 1 of that particular year.

How to register to vote? Here’s a step-by-step process
 

  • Go to https://eci.gov.in/
     
  • Click on Register Now To Vote
     
  • The National Voters’ Service Portal (NVSP) will open, showcasing forms for multiple criteria like
  • Registration of new voter/due to shifting from AC
  • Registration of overseas voter
  • Deletion or objection in electoral roll
  • Correction of entries in electoral roll
  • Transposition within Assembly
     

Track application status
 

If already registered as a voter, look for your name on the electoral roll here: https://electoralsearch.in/

Redress for voter grievance 
 

Click here: https://eci.gov.in/contact-us/ngsp/national-grievance-services-portal-r3/

For the disabled
 

The Election Commission has ordered the election machinery in states to arrange transport for disabled voters and their assistants on the polling day to ensure their participation in the electoral process. The EC directive said that government vehicles can be used for the purpose.

"Each and every PwD should be tagged polling station-wise and he/she should be picked up from his residence and dropped back there after he/she has cast their vote," the order read.