On EC’s 75th anniv, President hails panel for 66% turnout in 3 LS polls

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday commended the Election Commission (EC) and voters for enhanced participation in polls, consistently touching the mark of 66 per cent turnout in the last three Lok Sabha elections.

She also hailed women voters for their increasing participation in the electoral process, calling it a sign of societal and national progress.

Murmu said this on Saturday during her address at the 15th National Voters’ Day event, which marked the 75th anniversary of the poll panel’s establishment.

She further lauded the Election Commission for its role in successfully conducting 18 Lok Sabha elections and over 400 state Assembly polls over the years.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar praised the sagacity and intelligence of Indian voters, saying that they remain the ultimate custodians of the nation’s democracy.

He urged citizens, particularly youngsters and urban voters, to actively participate in shaping the nation’s future through the electoral process.

The CEC expressed confidence that India’s democracy would remain resilient. However, he flagged the “dangerous trend” of misinformation and fake narratives across the world, calling them the single-biggest threat to democratic processes worldwide.

He also urged all political parties to avoid “disruptive campaigning” and “fake narratives”, stressing that these might cause disillusionment among youngsters regarding the electoral process.

He further assured parties that the Election Commission would respond in writing to concerns flagged by them regarding the electoral process and their suggestions to improve the system.