Election Commission marks 16th National Voters’ Day with ‘My India, My Vote’ theme; President Murmu to present awards

The Election Commission of India is celebrating the 16th National Voters’ Day (NVD) on Sunday, January 25, 2026, with the theme ‘My India, My Vote’. The annual observance is positioned as a nationwide push to recognise the role of citizens in strengthening democracy and to encourage voter participation—especially among first-time voters.

President Droupadi Murmu will present the Best Electoral Practices Awards at the event in New Delhi, the poll panel said in an official statement. The awards are intended to recognise standout work across election administration, with categories covering election management and logistics, effective use of technology, innovative voter awareness efforts, and implementation and enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.

Training and capacity building is also among the award categories, underlining that electoral quality depends not only on polling day operations but also on the year-round systems that support enrolment, voter services, and poll preparedness. The Election Commission said special recognition for media will also be part of the awards programme.

The commission has also planned launches of two publications—‘2025: A Year of Initiatives and Innovations’ and ‘Chunav Ka Parv, Bihar Ka Garv’—as part of the day’s programme. A video presentation highlighting the commission’s work and its role in election management and democratic development is also expected to be screened.

An exhibition has been planned to showcase different aspects of elections, including the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of polls. The commission said the exhibit will highlight recent initiatives aimed at improving voter experience as well as elements of the successful conduct of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections in 2025.

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to attend as the guest of honour. The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are also slated to be present, reflecting the institutional focus on voter awareness and election integrity.

With multiple states scheduled to go to the polls in 2026, the message from National Voters’ Day is meant to travel beyond a single ceremony: that voting is a civic act that turns eligibility into participation, and participation into democratic legitimacy.