The Election Commission of India marked the 70th year of its existence by organizing the 10th National Voters’ Day (NVD) on the 25th of January, 2020. The event is commemorated every year on this day, ever since its initiation in 2011.
The Significance of the Theme
The theme for NVD 2020 is ‘Electoral Literacy for Stronger Democracy’. This theme sets the course for activities throughout the year, which are primarily centered around voter education and rekindling citizens’ trust in the electoral process. The purpose behind selecting such a theme lies in improving the understanding of the voters regarding the political system, thus empowering them to take more informed decisions while voting.
Objective of Celebrating National Voters’ Day
National Voters’ Day is observed with the aim to encourage, facilitate, and maximize voter enrolment, with a special focus on new voters. It serves as an excellent opportunity to raise awareness among voters, thereby promoting informed participation in the electoral process. The day gets utilized to enlighten people about their rights and duties as voters, shedding light on the importance of their role in shaping the future of the nation.
About Election Commission of India
Election Commission of India (ECI), the autonomous constitutional authority, is responsible for administering Union and State election processes in the country. The ECI was established on January 25th, 1950. It supervises the elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of President and Vice President in India.
Structure of the Commission
The ECI initially consisted of only one election commissioner. But after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it became a multi-member commission. The revised structure consists of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (ECs). The commission has its secretariat based in New Delhi.
Fundamental Facts About ECI
Before the last segment of the article, it’s beneficial to revise some crucial statistics about ECI.
| Establishment Date | First Commissioner | Current Chief Election Commissioner | Number of Election Commissioners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th January 1950 | Sukumar Sen | Sushil Chandra | 2 |
The Election Commissioner Amendment Act
The Election Commissioner Amendment Act, passed in 1989, significantly impacted the structure of the ECI. Initially, the ECI was a single-member body, but post the amendment act, it was transformed into a multi-member commission. The present structure comprises one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. This transformative step is believed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the commission in supervising the elections in India.