New Delhi: In a massive boost to efforts of Election Commission of India to bolster polling percentage in 2024 General Elections, India’s public service broadcaster Doordarshan managed to rope in top constitutional authorities including President of India and Vice President of India to give special messages for citizens. For the first time in Indian history President and Vice President have appealed to citizens to participate in the electoral process and safeguard the ethos of democracy by casting their valuable votes in the 2024 elections complimenting ECI’s high-decibel campaign “Chunav Ka Parv, Desh Ka Garv." They also mobilised large number of celebrities in this campaign.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, along with Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, and ISRO chief S. Somanath, among others, have come forward on Doordarshan to appeal to voters. They have also shared their first voting experiences and emphasised the importance of voting in a democracy.
Ahead of the first round of elections, on 19 April 2024 President Droupadi Murmu made a special appeal to first-time voters. In a special and exclusive video message on Doordarshan, she said, “India is the largest democracy in the world and also the mother of democracy. For us, elections are the biggest festival and also a matter of national pride.” The video was televised on Doordarshan and the Election Commission’s social media handles.
In another video message on Doordarshan, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar also appealed to voters to exercise their right. He said, "Voting is your right as well as your responsibility, which when exercised, strengthens democracy. It ensures your participation in decision-making. It decides your present and future. I appeal to all, especially first-time voters, to cast their vote and contribute to crafting India's destiny. I have always exercised my right to vote and shall continue to. Do ensure you vote, in all circumstances."
In a bid to increase voter turnout, the Election Commission’s voter education programme for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has attempted new initiatives and campaigns, including leveraging the power and reach of Doordarshan as a medium to showcase videos by top constitutional authorities about their voting experience.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said: “We are the citizens of the world’s largest democracy. The Constitution gives us many rights as citizens, but it also expects that each of us performs the duty of casting our vote. In a constitutional democracy, the government is of the people, by the people, and for the people because each of us has a role in electing the government.”
Recounting his experience as a first-time voter, the CJI had said in his special message: “When I crossed the age of eligibility to vote, I remember the excitement in my heart, queuing up at the polling booth and exercising my franchise. Getting that dot on my finger when I voted aroused tremendous feelings of patriotism and association with the nation. This ink mark is one I never wanted to go away, because I felt proud to have exercised my vote as an Indian citizen.”
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said when he voted for the first time at the age of 21, it was like growing up to become a responsible citizen.
He said the Election Commission officials had worked hard for over two years, adding every eligible voter to the electoral rolls, now having close to 97 crore voters, and preparing more than 10.50 lakh polling stations within two km of the voters’ reach. “Now it is your turn, please come to the polling station. Millennials and Gen Z, this century belongs to you. I hope citizens, especially the youth, will join the celebrations by visiting polling booths in large numbers. Please come and vote,” said Kumar.
Doordarshan’s role in driving such large-scale voting awareness in Lok Sabha elections, including producing over 30 films, is commendable. Doordarshan, providing TV coverage to about 92 percent of the country’s population, represents the voice of a billion-plus Indians today. For years, it has been a primary source of information, knowledge, awareness, and entertainment.
S Somanath, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said: “I still remember my first voting, but many years later, after so many elections and voting, I still make sure that I don’t miss an opportunity to cast my vote, because that is a right and a privilege given to every Indian citizen to select its representative to decide the future of the nation.”
Many celebrities, including actors, singers, and other artists, have also shared their voices and appealed to voters on Doordarshan.
Actor Taapsee Pannu recounted the excitement when she received her voter ID. She said she researched her options and found none of the candidates satisfactory, ending up picking NOTA. “I felt the need to exercise that power. There was excitement that I would contribute,” she said in the video.
Singer Adnan Sami, in a video, recalled voting for the first time in 2019. Originally from Pakistan, Sami became an Indian citizen in 2016. There are people in the world who are longing for the right to vote, he said. He shared his appeal in a unique singing style.
Dr Salma Khan, President of the Kinnar Maa Trust, said, "It's disheartening to see people not coming out to vote when they have this right. We transgenders got our voting rights only after the NALSA judgement in 2014. Voting feels empowering. It's only about taking out 5 minutes once in 5 years to vote."
Popular singer Mohit Chauhan also took to Doordarshan in a unique style. He shared a song on voting and appealed to people to exercise their crucial right.
Doordarshan is also taking various measures to promote awareness among voters. They are sharing interesting messages and catchy slogans on their social media handles, taking inspiration from popular Bollywood movie dialogues, posters, and songs.
As the last two phases of the elections approach, steps like these are crucial to ensure maximum democratic participation.
/BI Bureau/
All quotes are attributed to people are taken from their videos to Doordarshan
