Ans :- We are in the first month of the year and one of the most significant national events is ourrepublic day. But there is one more important day to be celebrated, that is National Voters Day. It is a very important day for Indiandemocracy. The significance of this day is to encourage young Indian voters to take part in the democratic political process. Indian government decided to celebrate 25th January as “National Voter’s Day” or “राष्ट्रीय मतदाता दिवस” from 2011.

25 January is chosen to be national voters day because on 25 January 1950, just a day before we became a republic nation; election commission was founded. We started to celebrate day from 2011 and idea of national voters day celebration came from an ordinary voter called Captain Chand in 2010. Election commission took suggestions and improved upon it to celebrate 25 January as national voters day. The year 2011 was the first and this year we will be celebrating 8th National Voters Day.

Earlier voter eligibility age was 21 years, but in 1988 it was lowered to 18 years. This change was incorporated because several countries across the world were adopting 18 years as official voting age. Same time young Indian population was getting literate and politically conscious. Sixty-First Amendment Bill of 1998 lowered the voter’s eligibility age inIndia.

India has more than 50% of population below the age of 35 years and a big chunk of it just turning 18. It is very important to make them aware and part of democratic process. It is very crucial to make them realize their rights and obligations too. This way we will have a larger participation of people in the democracy.