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 ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR.K.ROSAIAH, GOVERNOR OF TAMIL NADU AT THE NATIONAL VOTERS DAY CELEBRATIONS AT DARBAR HALL,RAJ BHAVAN, CHENNAI ON 25.01.2012 AT 11.00 A.M.

It gives me great pleasure to distribute the EPIC cards at the state level celebrations of the second National Voters’ Day and address this distinguished gathering here today. It is befitting that the Election Commission of India is celebrating its foundation day as the National Voters’ Day. This day has gained momentum and is now an important National event in the annual calendar, along with the Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti. This will go a long way in further strengthening the democratic foundations of our country.

Democracy is one of the greatest achievements of free India. We proudly hold our head high among the comity of nations for being one of the largest democratic countries in the world.  All sections of the society have a stake in the democratic process and are proud to be the decision makers in formation of governments through elections. We the people, through exercise of the Right to Vote, have the ultimate power to decide the destiny of our country. We elect our representatives who run the Government and take decisions for the growth, development and benefit of all the citizens. Election cannot be viewed as an isolated event.  It is the very foundation of good democratic governance.

It is with great foresight the founding fathers of our Indian Constitution had envisaged the setting up of an independent Election Commission to oversee the process of nurturing the democratic governance. The Election Commission has been taking all efforts to ensure that the democracy gets strengthened and deepened in our country.  I commend the Election Commission for its contribution in taking the nation forward from strength to strength and for bringing stability to our democratic system. India has seen elections which are generally free and fair.

The 2011 historic election in Tamil Nadu  saw unbridled enthusiasm amongst the people, with a record voter turnout of 78 %.   It is the faith and trust the people have in the Election Commission and in democratic process that led to a record turnout. The voters firmly voted with their conscience, independent of threat and inducement. It has to be ingrained in each and every voter’s heart that voting is not only a democratic right but also a patriotic duty. They should accept from the bottom of their heart that their vote is an important weapon for deciding their future and not a purchasable commodity to be sold for some money or commodities. The clarity of purpose shown by the voters in 2011 elections needs to be internalized not only by all voters but also by those who are likely to become voters in near future.

The Election Commission and the office of Chief Electoral Officer in Tamil Nadu need to see that our democracy becomes a fully participatory one and not limited to certain groups and classes. Though deepening of democracy has taken place in the past few decades, there are still a large number of people who remain outside the democratic process. It is also a matter of great concern that the educated and growing middle class often shy away from the participation in the electoral process. Many of our educated youth are not even willing to take the trouble to cast their vote.

In such a scenario, it is appropriate that the Election Commission of India has made the youth and women as the focus of this National Voters’ Day. It is a welcome one. I am also glad to know that the present summary revision saw a record of 38 lakh applications for adding of names in the electoral rolls.  It would be interesting to note that there are no elections scheduled in the state in the near future which could have prompted to a greater participation.  This addition has come after the Assembly and Local Body polls, which also saw a large number of applications being received.  It is happy to note that the percentage of the 18 and 19 age group population in the rolls compared to the total population, which was lying at 1.3%, jumped to 2.3% after this revision. Also the gender ratio in the rolls is even slightly in excess to the population gender ratio. All these point to healthy electoral rolls in the state.  I congratulate the Election Commission for achieving this. 

The initiatives taken by the officials on the occasion of second National Voters’ Day for involving new concepts ‘Friends of Democracy’ and involvement of Self Help Groups and ICDS workers in creating voter awareness deserve appreciation. The National Voters’ Day should act as a launching pad for a sustained public awareness campaign to motivate people who are not enrolled to get enrolled, to prompt those who do not vote to go and vote and to embolden those who vote, to do so fairly and fearlessly, without falling for false inducements.

I congratulate all the 33 lakh newly registered voters.   I convey my warm felicitations to Thiru Praveen Kumar, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer and the Principal Secretary to Government, Chennai Corporation officials, to all the voters, teachers, students, officers and to the participants from Song & Drama Division.

I wish the National Voters Day Celebrations all success.

Jai Hind.

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