Modi urges first-time voters to register as soon as they turn 18
In his January 25 Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked young Indians to get on the electoral rolls immediately after turning 18, framing voting as both a constitutional duty and a way to strengthen democracy.
A push for early registration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, January 25, 2026, to call on eligible youth to register as voters as soon as they turn 18. He linked early enrolment to stronger participation, arguing that democracy works best when every eligible citizen is able to vote without last-minute confusion about documents, address proofs, or missed deadlines.
Modi’s message focused on the idea that voting is more than a personal choice: it is a constitutional responsibility and an everyday way to shape governance. He encouraged young listeners to treat the voter registration step as their entry point into public life, whether they later choose to volunteer, debate issues, or simply vote consistently.
The appeal is particularly aimed at first-time voters who often shift cities for education or work and can miss enrolment windows. Elections in India can involve large-scale mobilisation of first-timers, and officials regularly note that timely registration reduces on-the-day issues such as missing names on rolls, incorrect polling booth mapping, or documentation errors.
What young voters can do now
- Check eligibility and ensure your name is on the voter list well before an election notification.
- Update address and constituency details if you’ve moved for college or work.
- Encourage friends turning 18 this year to register together so no one is left out.
The broader intent, the Prime Minister suggested, is to normalise participation early—so voting becomes a habit rather than a one-time event. Civic participation, he said, is strengthened when the youngest eligible citizens join the process confidently and on time.