New Delhi: Dr. Nasim Zaidi, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India highlighted today the significance of India’s relationship with ASEAN countries. CEC was addressing 179 students from 9 out of 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) during an interactive session here today. During the session, CEC highlighted and elucidated the interesting features of Indian elections like Universal adult suffrage, first past the post system, magnitude and scale of Election Commission of India (ECI) work, ECI’s apolitical character, application of Model Code of Conduct, Constitutional protection to ECI from external pressure and use of IT application in elections.
Shri. Umesh Sinha, Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) during his presentation stated that the elections in India are the biggest festival of democracy. Shri. Sinha highlighted the strength of youth in Indian democracy and stated that the youth and students in India are major partner of ECI as they are not only electors but also educator and motivator. Shri. Sinha also briefed as to how the ECI utilised the services of National and State Icons like Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, M.S. Dhoni, M.C. Mary Kom to educate and motivate the voters.
During the question and answer session, questions on enhancing voters’ participation, deployment of polling personnel, information on contesting candidates and NOTA were asked which were duly explained and clarified by CEC and DEC to the satisfaction of the participating students.
The session was attended by senior officials from ECI and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry).
