New Delhi:

Chief Justice of India K. K. Chandrachud urged citizens not to miss the opportunity to vote in general elections, saying it was the “primary duty” of a constitutional democracy.

In a video message on the Election Commission’s ‘My Vote My Voice’ mission for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Justice Chandrachud said, “We are the citizens of our country, the largest democracy in the world.”

“The Constitution gives us various rights as citizens, but it also expects each of us to fulfill the duties given to us. One of the most important duties of a citizen is to vote in a constitutional democracy,” he said.

“I ask each and every one of you, don’t miss this opportunity to vote responsibly as citizens of our great country. Five minutes, once every five years, for our country. It’s doable, isn’t it? Let’s Vote with pride. My vote, my voice,” the CJI said.

Justice Chandrachud said that citizens play a participatory role in electing the government, which is why it is said that “this government is of the people, by the people and for the people”.

He recalled the excitement of voting for the first time and lining up at polling stations to exercise his right to vote.

“When I vote, the ink on my finger gives me a strong sense of patriotism and connection to my country…” he said.

“So our Constitution and our laws provide for one citizen, one vote and one value. I think that’s the great resilience and strength of our country as a constitutional democracy,” he said.

The CJI said that when he was a lawyer and had to travel around for work, he never missed the obligation to vote.

The Lok Sabha election will be held from April 19 to June 1, 2024, to elect 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha.

The election will be held in seven phases and the results will be announced on June 4, 2024.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)