Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Punjab Local Body Polls Using Ballot Papers
Supreme Court declines to entertain plea against ballot papers in Punjab local body polls
Deccan Herald
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The Supreme Court of India declined to hear a plea against the Punjab State Election Commission's decision to use ballot papers for urban local body elections, scheduled for May 26, citing the urgency of the elections and the petitioner's delay in filing.
- 01The Supreme Court refused to intervene in the Punjab local body elections scheduled for May 26, which will use ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- 02Petitioner Ruchita Garg's challenge was based on a prior Supreme Court judgment advocating for EVMs, but the court noted the elections were imminent.
- 03The Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously dismissed Garg's petition against the State Election Commission's decision to switch to ballot papers.
- 04The State Election Commission stated it had to use ballot papers due to the Election Commission of India's inability to provide EVMs on time.
- 05The Supreme Court emphasized the need for timely action and questioned the petitioner's delay in approaching the court.
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On May 25, the Supreme Court of India declined to entertain a plea challenging the Punjab State Election Commission's decision to conduct urban local body elections using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The elections, covering 104 municipal bodies including eight municipal corporations, are set for May 26, with vote counting on May 29. The bench, consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, noted the urgency of the situation, stating, "Elections are tomorrow, what can be done now? There is no time left." The court criticized petitioner Ruchita Garg for the delay in filing the plea, emphasizing that she was aware of the election schedule. The plea had originally been dismissed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which supported the State Election Commission's decision to use ballot papers due to the Election Commission of India's failure to provide EVMs on schedule. The Supreme Court also declined to appoint an observer for the elections, deeming it a serious intervention not warranted at this time.
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The decision to use ballot papers affects the electoral process in Punjab, potentially influencing voter turnout and election integrity.
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