![[PM Modi Hate Speech Case] TN Congress Moves Madras HC Over ECI Inaction](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MicrosoftTeams-image-12-1.png?resize=447%2C367&ssl=1)
Today (8th May): The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee filed a petition in the Madras High Court, alleging that the Election Commission of India failed to address hate speeches by Prime Minister Modi. They claim Modi made inflammatory, disrespectful, and divisive remarks targeting specific communities, inciting communal tensions and aiming to manipulate votes in favor of the BJP.
Today (18th April): The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea to tally Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes with Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips during elections. The petition aims to ensure accuracy and integrity in the electoral process and seeks expanded verification of all EVM votes with VVPAT records. This plea challenges the current guidelines and emphasizes the need for stringent punishment to prevent manipulation.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disclose information about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). This decision followed a second appeal by retired civil servant MG Devasahayam. The ECI must provide the requested data within 30 days. Compliance with the order is mandatory.
The Supreme Court Today (April 4th) instructed the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to enhance the visibility of disclaimers in its election advertisements. This directive aims to ensure clarity regarding the use of the NCP’s clock symbol, indicating that it is contingent upon the outcome of a pending court case before the apex court.
Today 1st April,The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Election Commission of India in response to a plea for thorough verification of Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. The petition challenges the current guideline of sequential VVPAT verification and advocates for matching every EVM vote with its corresponding VVPAT slip. Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta have grouped the plea with other pending cases regarding EVM and VVPAT. The petitioner, Arun Kumar Agrawal, argues for faster verification and physical deposit of VVPAT slips, emphasizing the need for accurate ballot counting. This comes amidst concerns over discrepancies between EVM and VVPAT vote counts. The matter has been the subject of extensive debate and previous petitions regarding VVPAT verification.
On Wednesday(March 27),The Madras High Court dismissed a petition challenging Tamil Nadu’s election notification, ensuring the scheduled elections proceed as planned. The petitioner sought to advance the vote counting date, but the court ruled it lacked legal basis and didn’t address significant public concern. The ruling upholds the electoral process’s sanctity and the Election Commission’s authority.
The Delhi High Court Today dismissed a petition seeking action against Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly making false statements against the government. The court emphasized the electorate’s discernment, stating that individuals are capable of distinguishing truth from falsehood and can take their own action. The petition raised concerns about the impact of these statements on India’s image and the government’s credibility.
The Supreme Court today granted permission to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction to use the name ‘Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar’ for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in India, along with the emblem ‘man blowing turha’. This decision was made amid a legal battle over the party’s leadership. The Court also instructed the Election Commission to recognize this faction and its symbol.