National Voters Day: Why India marks this occasion on January 25

India celebrates National Voters Day on January 25 every year to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India.

The Election Commission was founded in 1950 on this day. The occasion was first celebrated in 2011.

President Ram Nath Kovind virtually addressed the celebrations today. During the event, the President conferred the National Awards for the year 2020-21. He also launched the Election Commission's Web Radio: 'Hello Voters' - an online digital radio service.

This year's theme is "Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed". One focus this year is highlighting the EC's feat of running elections safely during the pandemic.

The National Voters Day ceremony is aimed at increasing voter enrolment, with special focus on new voters. The celebrations include felicitating new voters and handing them their Elector Photo Identity Cards.