The Election Commission of India recently launched the 'Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye (My First Vote For The Nation)' campaign, aiming to foster universal participation of informed youth in elections. As the country gears up for the 18th Lok Sabha election, the campaign seeks to inspire young, especially first-time voters, to engage in the world's largest democratic process and contribute to nation-building.
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting & Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, released the 'Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye' anthem, urging everyone to join the campaign and encourage young voters to exercise their democratic right.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasised the importance of first-time voters participating in the electoral process in his recent 'Mann Ki Baat' address.
PM Modi's Endorsement
In his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi stressed the significance of encouraging first-time voters to participate in the electoral process in large numbers. His call to action seeks to inspire a sense of responsibility and active engagement among the youth, highlighting the pivotal role they play in shaping the nation's democratic future.
Nationwide Support
The 'Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye' anthem and the Prime Minister's clarion call have garnered widespread support across various domains, including sports, entertainment, industry, and social media. This collective effort has transformed 'Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye' from a campaign into a people's movement, symbolising a unifying force for democratic participation.
Several states, educational institutes, and other organisations have already engaged young voters and mobilised them to pledge to cast their votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Jan Andolan
According to the ECI, the 'Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye' campaign's overarching objective is to not only instill a democratic spirit among young voters but also to cultivate a 'Jan Andolan' — a people's movement. By amplifying the message of electoral awareness and participation, the campaign aspires to foster a robust democratic ethos among the youth, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the nation's governance and progress.
The 'Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye' campaign, with its wide-ranging support and endorsement from national leaders, embodies a collective effort to inspire, engage, and mobilise young voters, underscoring the pivotal role of the youth in shaping the democratic fabric of the nation.