Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla emphasized the need to enhance public awareness about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, urging the Election Department to ensure that citizens in Himachal Pradesh face no inconvenience during the process.
Addressing the State-level function at the historic Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, on the occasion of the 16th National Voters’ Day, the Governor extended greetings to the people on both National Voters’ Day and Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day. He highlighted this year’s themes, “My India, My Vote” and “Indian Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy”, calling upon citizens to embrace universal adult franchise beyond distinctions of religion, caste, or community. He underscored the Election Commission’s global recognition for transparency, fairness, and upholding democratic values.
Governor Shukla appreciated the Election Department’s efforts in 2025, particularly voter enrolment drives in government and private educational institutions, initiatives to boost women voter registration in Sirmaur’s Shillai area and Chamba’s Bharmour tribal region, and the international recognition of Chief Electoral Officer Nandita Gupta, who served as an International Observer in Moldova’s national elections.
The Governor urged all voters to actively participate in the democratic process and take the Voters’ Day pledge. During the programme, he honoured district electoral officers, state icons, and booth-level officers for outstanding contributions, released a coffee table book by the Election Department, administered the pledge, and distributed Elector Photo Identity Cards to newly registered voters.
CEO Nandita Gupta highlighted significant improvements in voter registration, noting that since January 6, 2025, 91,949 new voters were added, 1,49,328 corrections were made, and 64,643 ineligible names were removed from the rolls. The event also featured an awareness play on SIR, cultural performances, and an exhibition by the Election Department. Additional Chief Electoral Officers Dr. Murari Lal and Neeraj Chandla, along with senior officers and dignitaries, attended the programme.
Deputy Commissioner and District Electoral Officer Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, proposed the vote of thanks, and a message from Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar was also shared during the event.
