President, CJI, CEC appeal to voters to step out today and decide nation’s future
In a ¦rst, top Constitutional oce holders on Thursday appealed to the voters through Doordarshan National to come forward and exercise their franchise to further strengthen the Indian democracy.
Hours before the ¦rst round of elections, President Droupadi Murmu exhorted people, particularly the ¦rst-time voters, to participate in the polls and decide the country’s future.
Voting a duty: CJI
Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said: “...we are the citizens of the world’s largest democracy... and one of the foremost duties of citizenship is to cast our vote. In a Constitutional democracy, the government is a government of the people, by the people and for the people, and we call it that because each of us has a participatory role in electing the government.”
Recounting his experience as a ¦rst-time voter, the Chief Justice said: “Getting that dot on my ¦nger when I voted aroused tremendous feelings of patriotism and association with the nation in me.”
“I request every one of you, please do not miss this opportunity to vote responsibly as citizens of our great motherland,” the Chief Justice said.
Your turn now, says CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said when he voted for the ¦rst time at the age of 21, it was like growing up to become a responsible citizen. He said the EC ocials had worked hard for over two years, adding every eligible voter to the electoral rolls. “...now it is your turn, please come to polling station. Millennials and Gen Z, this century belongs to you. I hope citizens, especially the youth, will join the celebrations by visiting polling booths in large numbers,” said Mr. Kumar.
‘It’s an investment’
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somanath said: “After so many elections and voting, I still make sure that I don’t miss an opportunity to cast my vote because that is a right and a privilege that is given to every Indian citizen to select its representative to decide the future of the nation.”
He urged people to vote despite any prior family or personal commitments. “...make sure you do that, your vote is an investment in our scienti¦c technological capabilities. When you vote, you vote for progress and a better tomorrow, your vote decides the direction that India takes as a nation,” he said.