Chief Justice of India Urges Citizens to Vote in 2024 General Elections

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has urged Indian citizens to exercise their democratic right and vote in the upcoming 2024 general elections. In a statement, Chandrachud emphasized the significance of each vote in shaping the future of the country.

"Every vote matters and can make a difference," Chandrachud said. He encouraged all eligible voters to register and cast their ballots, ensuring that their voices are heard and their choices are reflected in the outcome.

The Chief Justice made these remarks while addressing a conference in New Delhi. He also stated that the enactment of new criminal laws indicates that India is changing and moving forward.

The general elections are currently underway, with the first phase of voting seeing a high voter turnout of over 62.37%. Campaigning has intensified for the second phase, which will cover 88 parliamentary seats in 12 states and Union Territories.

Why this matters: The 2024 general elections are seen as vital for the future of India's secular democracy. Concerns have been raised about the erosion of democratic governance, attacks on civil society, muzzling of the press, and marginalization of minorities under the current government. The elections will determine the direction the country takes in the coming years.

In related developments, the Supreme Court has ruled that it cannot ask the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disclose the source codes of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), citing potential misuse. The court dismissed a petition seeking an independent audit of EVM source codes. However, it has reserved its order on petitions seeking 100% cross-verification of EVM vote counts with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) paper slips and has sought clarifications from the ECI on the issue.

The Supreme Court's stance on EVMs comes after it struck down the electoral bonds scheme introduced by the government in 2018. A new petition has been filed alleging a scam in the electoral bonds matter, claiming instances of quid pro quo between political parties and donors. The petitioners seek a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and recovery of any amounts donated as part of such arrangements.

As the 2024 general elections progress, the Chief Justice's call for citizens to actively participate in the democratic process resonates with the challenges and controversies surrounding the electoral system. The Supreme Court's rulings on electoral bonds and EVMs, along with the allegations of impropriety, underscore the importance of transparency and fairness in the electoral process. The high voter turnout in the first phase indicates the enthusiasm and determination of the Indian electorate to make their voices heard in this pivotal election.

Key Takeaways

• CJI Chandrachud urges citizens to vote in 2024 elections, calls each vote significant.
• Supreme Court upholds non-disclosure of EVM source code, reserves order on 100% VVPAT verification.
• New petition alleges quid pro quo in electoral bonds scheme, seeks SIT probe.
• 2024 elections seen as vital for India's secular democracy, concerns over erosion of governance.
• High voter turnout in first phase indicates enthusiasm of Indian electorate for pivotal election.