During his inaugural speech, Chief Election Commissioner of India ( CEC) , Dr. Nasim Zaidi stated that while most of the countries have been experiencing the declining trends, India has witnessed significant increase in voters’ participation in recently held elections to Lok Sabha in 2014 and many State assemblies in past few years. Speaking after inaugurating Matdaata Mahotsav yesterday at Central park, Connaught Place in the presence of Sh. O. P. Rawat, Election Commissioner and senior officials of ECI, Chief Election Commissioner highlighted the fact that in the past 66 years, the Election Commission of India had many credible elections. With each electoral cycle it remains the endeavor of ECI to make electoral process more inclusive, accessible and voter friendly. He also mentioned about the efforts undertaken by the Election Commission to make NVD celebration of 2016 more colourful and festive in order to acknowledge the contribution of voters across the country.
CEC underlined that the recently held Lok Sabha election and other state assembly elections were not only totally free, fair, peaceful and participative but also much more inclusive, ethical, voter friendly and transparent. Dr. Zaidi CEC expressed the hope that Matdaata Mahotsav would encourage ideas and suggestions for greater and qualitative participation. CEC informed that Mahotsav is truly reflecting this year’s theme of ECI, which is ‘Inclusive and Qualitative Participation’ with the objective that no voter should be left behind. As a part of Mahotsav, multitude of activities like debates, discussions, music, dance, street plays, games, quizzes and contests highlighting the electoral features is being showcased to keep up the spirit of festivity. Additionally, there are information and facilitation centres, mock polling station and a range of interactive activities. The exhibitions provide a glimpse into best practices in various dimensions of election management- electoral roll, IT and technology, security, mobilisation of personnel and resources, voters’ education, election material, expenditure monitoring and many more innovations by States/ UTs in India through interactive models, three dimensional structures, digital presentations, display of publications and election material, mock set-ups, activities and role-play, graphics and films. EMBs from other countries shared the best practices of their country. Resident Coordinator Mr. Yuri Afanasiev UNDP and his team, Election Management Bodies of Australia, Bangladesh, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal and Republic of Moldova and representatives from States and UTs also participated in the Matdaata Mahotsav which will culminate on 17th January, 2016.