Increasing voter turnout shows people's trust in EC growing stronger: BJP Chief Nitin Nabin
New Delhi (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Sunday acknowledged the Election Commission's effort in conducting fair and transparent polls, asserting that the increasing voter turnout in many states is a clear indication that people's trust in both the voting process and the poll panel has become stronger.
Addressing young voters at an event organised here at the BJP headquarters to mark National Voters' Day, Nabin highlighted the role of voters, especially the youth, in a democracy and said that India can achieve its goal of becoming a developed country by 2047 only by their collective efforts.
Political parties may be different, ideas and thinking may be different, but for the youth, the theme must be 'nation first and collective effort', he said.
"There was a time when, after casting a vote in a ballot box, there used to be apprehension about where that box had gone, but today the country has entered the electronic and digital era," the BJP chief said.
"Today, when we cast our vote, it immediately becomes clear to whom the vote has been cast. This entire process, in one way or another, reflects the complete transparency of the Election Commission," he added.
Nabin said that over the past several years, the Election Commission has brought many "positive changes" and added "new dimensions" to its functioning, which, he said, has further strengthened the democratic process.
"It is truly remarkable to imagine that nearly 95 crore voters in the country exercise their franchise at the same time, a number greater than the combined population of many countries. Conducting elections for such a vast electorate and maintaining complete transparency is in itself a major achievement," the BJP chief said.
The increasing voter turnout in many states today is a clear indication that people's trust in both the voting process and the Election Commission has continued to grow stronger, he added.
Nabin's remarks were made on a day when opposition parties questioned the integrity of the Election Commission, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleging that the "right to vote is being bulldozed" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Terming the Election Commission's celebration of National Voters' Day as a "tragic farce", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the poll panel of bulldozing the opposition and destroying the foundation of the country's democracy on "behalf of the BJP."
Nabin said that the Election Commission has played an important role in providing the country with a "clean government and ensuring the right to vote for every citizen". He mentioned that the commission carries out necessary tasks, including the purification of electoral rolls.
Today, every voter is confident that the vote they cast goes to the "right person and the right party," becoming a "means for the development of the state and the country," once they press the button in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), Nabin added.
He praised the commission for using phrases like "My India, my vote" and the tagline "Citizen at the heart of Indian democracy."
The BJP chief emphasised that becoming a voter is not just a right, but also instils a sense of responsibility and accountability because where there are rights, there are also duties attached.
"All of us are the people who will witness 'Viksit Bharat' in 2047, and the Viksit Bharat of 2047 will not be built by the efforts of a single individual, but by the collective efforts of every young person," he said.
According to Nabin, today's voters will shape the future of India, and every vote cast today lays the foundation for the nation's progress.
He encouraged the youth to adopt a forward-thinking attitude based on the word "we," asserting that "we" are our country, our family, and our state, and that the "wealth of our nation belongs to all of us."
Nabin advised that people should enter politics with a "positive mindset" and the intention of bringing about constructive changes in the system.
However, he noted that entering politics is not the only way to serve the nation, adding that, "a person can serve the country and contribute to its progress by making an outstanding contribution in whichever field or discipline they are engaged in."
Addressing the event, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal exhorted the young voters to exercise their franchise "fairly in the best interest of the country, without fear".
"Your single vote is so decisive. It's the decider of India's destiny. Today, you are getting the right to vote. Governments will be formed with your vote. Your vote is so valuable," the minister said.
"In 2014, the Indian voters cast a decisive vote, and Narendra Modi became the prime minister of this country. India's destiny is moving forward at a rapid pace. That's why your vote is so important," he added.
BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh, the party's Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva, and several other leaders were present at the event.
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
