ECI rolls out ‘Democracy Express’ in Darjeeling to drive voter awareness

Kolkata: In a voter awareness and outreach in North Bengal, the toy train in Darjeeling was made a signficant part of the outreach by Election Commission of India (ECI) in a bid to create awareness and encourage voters’ participation in elections in a festive environment, ECI said.

The Darjeeling toy train, an iconic heritage, was part of the voter’s outreach today. There was the launch of the Democracy Express, which went through crisscrossing the roads and markets of Darjeeling and attracted a large number of people, sources said. “It spread the message of voter awareness with a clear assurance that elections will be held in a peaceful and festive manner — No Chhapa, No Jamming, No Intimidation, No Inducement, No Violence,” ECI said.

Voter awareness activities were integrated into the culture of Darjeeling, including Sherpa dance, Maruni Nritya, and the election mascot of Darjeeling is Red Panda.


A walkathon was organised at Chowrasta in Darjeeling, which was led by senior citizens, and accompanied by election officials and a large number of youths. A voter’s oath was also administered during the programme. First-time voters were also felicitated, and the event saw the presence of inspirational icon of Darjeeling, Pratima Rai, a prominent mountaineer.

DG (Media) ECI Ashish Goyal, General Observer, Police Observer, Expenditure Observer, DM Darjeeling, SP Darjeeling, Deputy Director ECI, and other officials of the DEO office participated in the programme.