New Delhi: India’s all-time best cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday was appointed as the national icon of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and signed a three-year agreement to spread voter awareness and encourage greater voter participation in the upcoming elections.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Tendulkar and the poll panel in the presence of the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioners Arun Chandra Pandey, and Arun Goel.
Addressing the gathering, Tendulkar said India is the biggest democracy in the world and it is our prime responsibility to exercise our voting rights.
The major step to encourage the voters by the poll panel comes ahead of Assembly polls in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram later this year and Lok Sabha elections next year.
Speaking on the occasion Deputy Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sahoo said, “This alliance will help the youth and urban population with the commitment of the ECI.”
“Your dedication and passion for the game of cricket have made you a role model for millions. As a national icon, your reach and influence will definitely amplify the efforts of the ECI to promote voter participation and awareness. We look forward to your valuable contribution towards strengthening the pillars of democracy,” Sahoo added.
The poll panel in a statement on Tuesday said that this collaboration would mark a significant step towards leveraging Tendulkar's unparalleled impact with the youth demographic for increasing voters’ participation in the forthcoming elections, especially in General Elections 2024.
The poll panel has recognised urban and youth apathy as one of the prime reasons for poor voter turnout in certain cities.
Last year, the Commission recognised actor Pankaj Tripathi as the National Icon. Earlier, during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, stalwarts like M.S.Dhoni, Aamir Khan, and Mary Kom had been the poll panel's National Icons.
With inputs from agencies