Republic Day Parade: EC Tableau to Show Mammoth Size of Lok Sabha Elections, Highlight 'Home Voting'

Gearing up for the mammoth exercise of conducting the world’s biggest elections, the Election Commission of India has themed its tableau on Republic Day on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Named ‘India: Mother of Democracy’, the tableau depicts the conduct of free, fair, inclusive, accessible and participative elections in the country.

“The front of the tableau is representative of an inked finger pressing a button and casting a vote on an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). This depiction emphasises that ECI champions an inclusive democracy, empowering every citizen, regardless of their gender, caste, religion or background,” the poll body said.

The magnitude of Lok Sabha elections 2024 is also depicted in the tableau – 96 crore electors will be voting in 12 lakh polling stations, and around 1.5 crore personnel will run the electoral machine.

“The sides of the (tableau) trailer depict the ease of voting whereby the commission ensures assured minimum facilities at all polling stations,” the ECI said.

The poll body has introduced home voting facility specifically for eligible People with Disabilities (PWD) and electors aged 80 and above.

“Guided by the principle ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’, the Election Commission ensures that every voter has a delightful voting experience, immersed in election festivities which is depicted at the polling station, shown on the trailer,” it added.

Different sections of the society have also been depicted as standing in the queue, showcasing cultural diversity of the country.

“The rear portion of the tableau shows ECI’s effort towards ‘No Voter Left Behind’ wherein we overcome extreme physical challenges, whether its interior villages of Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, dry or cold desert areas, snow-clad peaks, and coastal areas… a depiction of geographical diversities of the country,” it added.

The 75th Republic Day Parade will be held at Kartavya Path on January 26, Friday. With the themes of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’, the parade will be women-centric.

Women marching contingents will form the major chunk of the parade, with most of the tableaux of states/Union Territories (UTs) and central ministries/organisations showcasing the country’s rich cultural diversity, unity and progress.

The themes have been selected in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s views that India is truly the mother of democracy.

For the first time, the parade will be heralded by 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. French President Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest at this year’s Republic Day Parade.