President Droupadi Murmu to preside over main event in New Delhi; nationwide padyatras planned
BuzzBytes
New Delhi, January 24:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will celebrate the 16th National Voters’ Day (NVD-2026) on January 25, with the central event scheduled to be held in New Delhi. This year’s theme, “My India, My Vote”, carries the tagline “Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy”, underscoring the emphasis on participative and inclusive electoral engagement, particularly among the youth.
President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, will preside over the main function as the Chief Guest, while Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal will attend as the Guest of Honour. Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar will lead the event, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
As per convention, the President will address the gathering and hand over Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to newly enrolled young voters. She will also present the Best Electoral Practices Awards across categories such as effective use of technology, election management and logistics, voter awareness initiatives, enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, training and capacity building, along with special awards and media awards.
To mark the occasion, Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, will organise a nationwide National Voters’ Day Padyatra and Sundays on Cycle programme on January 25. The initiative will be held across all State and Union Territory capitals and district headquarters, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of Jan Bhagidari in nation-building.
The programme will combine voter awareness with physical fitness and community participation, integrating the Khelo India–Sports Authority of India’s Sundays on Cycle initiative wherever feasible. Through padyatras and cycling events, MY Bharat volunteers will engage local communities, promote voter registration and encourage informed and ethical participation in the democratic process.
At 36 State and UT capitals, around 1,000 MY Bharat volunteers will participate in events that include flag-off ceremonies by constitutional authorities, felicitation of first-time voters, voter awareness interactions, pledge-taking and concluding public programmes. Similar activities will be organised across 763 districts, involving District Election Officers, local administrations, elected representatives and around 500 volunteers per district, with suitable local adaptations.
NVD-2026 will also witness the launch of two publications — 2025: A Year of Initiatives and Innovations and Chunav Ka Parv, Bihar Ka Garv, documenting the successful conduct of the Bihar General Elections. A video highlighting the ECI’s global leadership in electoral management and democratic development will also be screened.
A dedicated exhibition showcasing key aspects of the electoral process, including preparation of electoral rolls, conduct of elections and recent voter-centric initiatives, will be organised. The exhibition will also highlight the successful conduct of the Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections in 2025.
Simultaneous National Voters’ Day celebrations will be held across the country at the state, district and polling station levels through the offices of Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and Booth Level Officers, who will felicitate newly registered voters and distribute EPICs, reinforcing the message of active and informed citizenship.
