Indian Railways Wins Best Electoral Practices Award
On January 25, 2025, the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the Best Electoral Practices Award for 2024-25 to Indian Railways. This recognition was given during the 15th National Voters’ Day celebrations. The award was accepted by Shri Satish Kumar, the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board. Indian Railways received this honor for its exceptional efforts in promoting voter education and electoral participation. The organization effectively utilized its vast infrastructure and collaborated with the Election Commission of India to enhance voter awareness nationwide. This award underscores the vital role Indian Railways played in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, where it significantly contributed to both voter awareness and logistical support.
Promoting Voter Awareness Through Innovative Strategies
To foster voter awareness and encourage citizen participation in elections, Indian Railways implemented several innovative strategies. Collaborating closely with the Election Commission of India, the Railways leveraged its Rail Display Network (RDN) to disseminate crucial voter information. This included details about voter helplines, which were shared across various platforms such as railway stations, official websites, and mobile applications.
Additionally, pre-recorded announcements were made at railway stations to reach a wider audience. A notable initiative was the operation of the SVEEP Express, a special train that traveled through the Kashmir Valley. This train aimed to engage and inspire the youth to actively participate in the electoral process. The campaign also extended to social media, where hashtags like #ChunavKaParv and #DeshKaGarv were used to promote voter participation. These efforts reflect Indian Railways’ commitment to enhancing civic engagement and ensuring that citizens are informed and motivated to exercise their voting rights.
Ensuring Logistical Support for Fair Elections
In addition to promoting voter awareness, Indian Railways played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth conduct of elections through logistical support. The organization facilitated the secure and efficient transportation of over 374,000 paramilitary personnel across the nation. This was achieved through the operation of 383 trains, which were essential for maintaining law and order during the elections.
By providing reliable transportation, Indian Railways helped ensure that elections were conducted fairly and securely. This logistical support is vital in a country as vast and diverse as India, where efficient movement of personnel is crucial for the electoral process. The efforts of Indian Railways not only highlight its operational capabilities but also its commitment to upholding the democratic process in the country.
Celebrating National Voters’ Day and Recognizing Excellence
National Voters’ Day (NVD) is celebrated annually on January 25 to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India. This day is significant as it falls just before the birth of the Indian Republic. Since 2011, NVD has been observed to encourage voter enrollment, particularly among new voters, and to promote informed participation in the electoral process. The event typically features key dignitaries, including former Chief Election Commissioners, political representatives, and young voters.
During the celebrations, the National Electoral Awards for 2024-25 are presented to recognize innovation and excellence in election processes. These awards honor the contributions of various stakeholders, including electoral machinery, government departments, agencies, and civil society organizations. State-level awards are also presented at respective state headquarters, further promoting the importance of electoral participation and the efforts made to enhance the electoral system throughout the year.
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