President Droupadi Murmu today said that voting is not just a political expression but a reflection of citizens’ faith in the country’s democratic electoral process. Addressing the National Voters’ Day programme in New Delhi, the President said that voting also serves as a medium through which citizens express their aspirations. President Murmu said that today’s voters are also the architects of the future, and emphasised that it is important for all adult citizens to exercise their right to vote while keeping their constitutional duties in mind.
President Murmu also highlighted India’s chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, International IDEA. During her address, the President also noted that 42 election management bodies and representatives from several countries participated in the recently concluded India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management.
The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘My India, My Vote’ with the tagline, ‘Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy’. On the occasion, the president handed over Electors Photo Identity Cards to the newly enrolled young electors. President Murmu also presented the Best Electoral Practices Awards in different categories including effective use of technology, election management and logistics, innovative voter awareness, and implementation and enforcement of Model Code of Conduct along with other special awards and awards for the media.
Best Election District Awards for effective use of technology in elections have gone to East Champaran in Bihar, Kasaragod in Kerala and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. Nuapada in Odisha, East Khasi hills in Meghalaya and Purnea in Bihar received awards in the category of election management and logistics. Patna in Bihar, Botad in Gujarat and Wayanad in Kerala bagged awards in the category of innovative voter awareness initiatives.
Model code of conduct implementation and enforcement award went to Mamit in Mizoram and Samastipur in Bihar.
Madhubani in Bihar , Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh and Pakur in Jharkhand received awards in the category of training and capacity building.
Recipients of special awards are Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, CEO Bihar, Kundan Krishnan, ADG cum SPNO, Bihar, Vijay Kumar, Jt. C.P/CP Sectt. Cum-OSD to CP, Delhi, Manavjit Dhillon, DIG, EOU and Nodal Officer for elections, Bihar and Neeraj Kumar, Additional Director of IT (Inv), Expenditure, Nodal Officer for Delhi Assembly Elections, 2025.
In the category Media Awards, for the Print, the award has been given to Dainik Jagran, Patna (Bihar), in Electronic (Radio) to News Services Division, Akashvani (Delhi), in Electronic (Television) to News18- Bihar- Jharkhand. The award for Best Chief Electoral Office’s Social Media Team has been given to CEO Office Bihar.
News Service Division of Akashvani received the media award in the category of Electronic Radio for Best Campaign on Voters’ Education Awareness for the year 2025. Rajeev Kumar Jain, Director General, Akashvani recieved the award from the President. The award recognises Akashvani’s contribution in promoting electoral participation and awareness about accessible elections.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners, Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi were also present on the occasion.
