Supreme Court Upholds Use of Ballot Papers for Punjab Local Body Elections
SC Clears Decks For Use Of Ballot Papers In Tomorrow’s Punjab Local Body Polls
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The Supreme Court of India has ruled against a petition to replace ballot papers with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the upcoming municipal elections in Punjab. The court emphasized the authority of the State Election Commission to choose the voting method, affirming that ballot papers remain a valid option.
- 01The Supreme Court dismissed a petition to use EVMs instead of ballot papers in the Punjab municipal elections scheduled for tomorrow.
- 02Chief Justice Surya Kant stated that it was too late to change the voting method as all arrangements were already in place.
- 03The State Election Commission (SEC) retains the authority to decide between ballot papers and EVMs, according to existing rules.
- 04Concerns about potential booth-capturing incidents were raised, but the court noted that EVMs would not necessarily prevent such issues.
- 05The Election Commission of India (ECI) confirmed its policy to provide EVMs for local elections, but the SEC opted to use ballot papers.
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On Monday, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition that sought to replace ballot papers with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the Punjab municipal elections scheduled for tomorrow. Chief Justice Surya Kant led the bench, stating that it was too late to alter the voting method as all necessary arrangements had already been made. Senior Advocate Nachiketa Joshi, representing the petitioner, argued that this was the first instance of using ballot papers in recent elections. The court clarified that the State Election Commission (SEC) has the authority to choose the voting method, and that ballot papers are still a valid option under the rules. Concerns regarding potential booth-capturing were discussed, but the court pointed out that EVMs would not necessarily mitigate these risks. The Election Commission of India (ECI) also noted its policy to provide EVMs for local body elections, yet the SEC opted to proceed with ballot papers for this election cycle.
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The decision to use ballot papers may affect the electoral process and voter confidence in the Punjab municipal elections.
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