Noting that 281 million eligible voters did not exercise their franchise in the 2009 general elections, he said this was "not a happy situation".
"No democracy can survive without adequate representation of the people belonging to various sections of society. Democracy implies participatory governance and therefore elections are to be inclusive involving everyone, including those with special needs," he said at a two-day workshop on consultation with civil society organisations on 'Inclusive voting and electoral participation' in association with the UNDP here.
Sampath said, "the challenge is how to make people speak through the ballot" and added that the Commission has taken several initiatives to identify missing voters and non-voters to help bring them to the mainstream.
The CEC said, "democracy should manifest people's power" and it begins with citizen's participation. "It is only through civic participation in the electoral process, the citizens authorise the elected representatives to act on their behalf," he said.
Sampath called for spreading awareness on the importance of public participation in the electoral process to make it more meaningful.
The Commission is conscious of the responsibility to include youth, women, NRIs, homeless persons, transgenders and others in the electoral process, he said.
Election Commissioner H S Brahma exhorted voters not to "sell" their votes for "illegitimate gifts" and asked them not be lured by such people who offer such sops during elections. "It is very unfortunate and is not going to help our country," he said.
"Time has come that this country deserves a better governance and leadership...The right person deserves your vote," he said, adding that there is need for voter education.
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