Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) H.S. Brahma on Tuesday said that the Delhi election on February 7 is a crucial one as it is a standalone election and the focus of the entire world is on it. “Delhi being the capital of the country, ruling Delhi has a separate meaning and it is a big challenge for the Election Commission (EC) to put the most effort into ensuring free and transparent elections in the Capital,” Mr. Brahma said.
Talking about how the EC has grown over the years, Mr. Brahma said in the first Lok Sabha polls held in 1951, India had 17.32 crore voters and today it has 83 crore voters, nearly two crore voters more than those who were eligible to participate in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The CEC was speaking at the inauguration of the week-long Voters’ Fest organised at Dill Haat to celebrate the National Voters Day on January 25. A photography exhibition in celebration of democracy was inaugurated by the CEC that takes viewers on a journey though the many elections that the Election Commission has conducted over the years.
From black and white images of prominent leaders casting their vote to the harsh terrain the polling officers have crossed to set up polling booths.
There is even a ‘selfie’ wall that shows many celebrities posing with ink on their fingers. There was also a street play performed by members of the Asmita Theatre group that encouraged voters to stop making excuses and come out to vote. A model polling station has been set up at the venue so that voters can familiarise themselves with the entire process.
