Actor Rajkummar Rao was on Thursday appointed the Election Commission’s national icon. The development comes ahead of assembly elections in five states and the general elections due next year.
According to the poll body, promotions regarding the voting process and general appeals to the public for voting will be done by Rao.
The actor’s portrayal of an official tasked with conducting polls in the Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh in the Hindi film “Newton” won accolades in the year 2017.
The Election Commission appoints prominent Indians as national icons to motivate voters to participate in elections.
Earlier, the Election Commission recognised actors Pankaj Tripathi, Aamir Khan and sportspersons, such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and MC Mary Kom, as national icons.
More than 161 million people in five states across India will vote in assembly elections next month, the Election Commission of India announced earlier this month.
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