The Supreme Court of India expressed concern over successive governments failing to enact legislation ensuring the independent functioning of the Election Commission of India during hearings challenging the validity of the 2023 appointment law.
Today, On 2nd May, The Supreme Court dismissed a plea by the Trinamool Congress challenging the use of central and PSU employees as counting supervisors for the West Bengal Assembly elections. The Court said ECI circular be followed “in letter and spirit.”
The Supreme Court will hear Today the TMC’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court order that rejected its petition against the EC’s directive mandating central government and PSU staff for counting votes in the West Bengal Assembly election.
The Supreme Court of India refused to hear a PIL seeking compulsory voting, calling it a policy matter beyond judicial powers. The Court stressed that democracy depends on awareness, not force, and rejected penalties for non-voters.
Today, On 13th April, The Supreme Court said individuals with pending appeals against exclusion from voter lists cannot be allowed to vote in the upcoming West Bengal elections. The Court added, “We cannot create a situation where we burden the appellate tribunal judges,” while refusing relief.
Today, On 13th April, The Supreme Court observed that the Election Commission of India prepared a list of doubtful voters due to a logical discrepancy during the Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal. The Court noted that voters were left sandwiched between two constitutional authorities, raising serious concerns about fairness in the electoral process.
Today, On 6th April, The Supreme Court directed the NIA to probe the April 1 Malda incident, where judicial officers were gheraoed during protests over voter list removal. CJI Kant remarked, “You are so busy that you cannot take the call of the Chief Justice of High Court.”
Supreme Court Judge Justice BV Nagarathna BV Nagarathna said institutions like the Election Commission of India must remain independent, noting at Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture that insulated bodies such as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and Finance Commission of India safeguard neutrality.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Chairperson of All India Trinamool Congress, wrote to the CEC expressing concern over ECI’s actions in West Bengal. Over 60 lakh genuine voters remain under adjudication, and 200+ lives were lost due to the flawed SIR process.
The Election Commission told the Calcutta High Court it can reassign officers to ensure free and fair elections. The plea challenges transfer of 73 officers before Bengal polls, while the state questioned governance without officials.
