Assembly election 2023: EC appoints 'Newton' actor Rajkummar Rao as national icon to boost voter turnout

The actor signed MOU with EC

Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in five states, the Election Commission of India on October 26 appointed actor Rajkummar Rao as its national icon. The actor formally entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the election commission, pledging to support and promote voter education and participation.

A formal ceremony will be held on October 26, the poll body said. The EC appoints prominent Indian as national icons to inspire and encourage voters to actively participate in the electoral process.

Also read: How Chhattisgarh CM Baghel is banking on farmers for re-election

Rao portrayed the character of an election official entrusted with overseeing elections in the Naxal-affected regions of Chhattisgarh in the Hindi film 'Newton.' His portrayal as a principled government clerk, resolute in his mission to conduct a genuinely democratic election in the midst of Naxal challenges, won accolades. The film received the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and was India's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 90th Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars.

Also read: Live updates of assembly elections 2023 

The actor is also known for his roles in films that tackle socially significant subjects, including Shahid, Kai Po Che, CityLights, Aligarh, Newton, Omerta, Love Sonia, The White Tiger, Badhaai Do, and Bheed. His remarkable talent for embodying relatable characters has consistently earned praise from both audiences and film critics. His upcoming project, "Mr and Mrs Mahi," co-starring Janhvi Kapoor, has garnered considerable anticipation from fans and movie enthusiasts.

More than 16.1 crore people in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram will vote in assembly elections next month. While Congress is in power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh is ruled by BJP, Telangana by Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Mizoram by Mizo National Front (MNF).