Government Polytechnic Kohima observed the 16th National Voters’ Day 2026 on Friday, January 23, at the institution’s auditorium. Although National Voters’ Day is officially celebrated on January 25 each year to mark the foundation of the Election Commission of India, the programme was held two days earlier as the official date falls on a Sunday this year.
The celebration was organised around the 2026 theme, “My India, My Vote”, highlighting the tagline “Citizen at the Heart of the Indian Democracy”.
As part of the observance, an educational painting competition based on the theme was conducted, which saw enthusiastic participation from students. The winners were awarded cash prizes and certificates of merit for their creative depictions of electoral responsibility. Seketonü Sale of 4th Semester Food Technology won the first prize, followed by Livina Awomi of 6th Semester Civil Engineering in second place and Rosy Masahary of 2nd Semester Food Technology in third place.
Delivering the keynote address, event coordinator Er. N. Yibenthung Tungoe, Senior Lecturer, Computer Science and Engineering, spoke on the significance of National Voters’ Day. He emphasised that exercising one’s right to vote is a fundamental constitutional duty and urged students who had recently attained the age of 18 to enrol themselves in the electoral rolls without delay.
Er. Tungoe also highlighted the importance of adult franchise in electing qualified leaders and reminded students that their participation in the electoral process directly influences the future of their own constituencies, the Nagaland State Government and the Union Government of India.
A key highlight of the programme was the collective administration of the National Voters’ Pledge, during which participants reaffirmed their faith in democratic traditions and the dignity of free and fair elections.
The programme was attended by more than 100 participants, including faculty members, staff and students of Government Polytechnic Kohima. The event was compered by Nyennki Shepe Konyak, a 6th Semester Civil Engineering student. The declaration of results and prize distribution ceremony were conducted by Er. Ketoulhoukho Kengurusie, Senior Lecturer, Civil Engineering, while the programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Tsatila Christina, a 6th Semester Computer Science and Engineering student.
