Chief Justice of India BR Gavai underscores the significance of the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option, calling it a vital tool for voters to express dissent. He stresses that NOTA strengthens democracy by giving citizens a “meaningful choice and the ability to express dissent.”
Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge supports Rahul Gandhi’s call for electoral transparency, urging the Election Commission to permit a court-supervised ethical hackathon and audit of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He highlights Karnataka’s robust tech ecosystem, emphasizing the need for integrity in elections amid concerns raised post-Maharashtra elections and calls for urgent action by the ECI.
The proposed delimitation post-2026 will significantly impact Lok Sabha and Assembly seat distributions, potentially altering political power among states. Concerns arise, particularly from southern states, about reduced representation despite their economic contributions. Instead of increasing the number of legislators, enhancing local governance and efficiency should be prioritized to better address citizens’ needs.
Today(18th Sept), the Supreme Court of India acknowledged the issue of political parties offering freebies as “very important” and decided to keep the pleas on its cause list. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and other justices emphasized the matter’s significance, with the case urged for hearing by PIL petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay.
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The Supreme Court of India dismissed today a PIL petition from the Sikh Chamber of Commerce, citing an absence of a compelling case and reiterating their previous judgment on EVMs and VVPAT. Justices Khanna and Datta emphasized that polling officers cannot discern voters’ choices from VVPAT slips, addressing concerns about voter secrecy in Indian elections.
Today(on 29th April), The Supreme Court of India declined a new plea to increase VVPAT verification against EVM votes, citing adequacy of current scrutiny. The plea aimed to raise verified EVMs per assembly segment during Lok Sabha elections from five to a higher number. This decision reinforces the court’s stance on maintaining the status quo for VVPAT verification.
On Friday (19th April), CJI Chandrachud expressed pride in casting his first vote, stressing responsible voting. He emphasized the symbolic significance of the ink mark, symbolizing fulfillment of citizenship duties. He urged citizens not to miss the chance to vote responsibly, encouraging pride in participating in the democratic process and reminding them of the upcoming elections.
Today (5th April): The Election Commission opposed DMK’s writ petition on EVM design in the Madras High Court, stating that EVMs have been used since the 1980s without proven tampering incidents. The petition questioned the placement of VVPAT printers and sought procedures for EVM approval and guidelines for returning officers. The court adjourned further hearing to June 20.