The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (Dec 17) quashed the First Information Report (FIR) and all consequent criminal proceedings initiated against a man who printed a message ‘Vote For Modi’ on his wedding invitation card asking people to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 parliamentary elections. Justice M Nagaprasanna allowed the quashing petition filed by the accused, one Shivaprasad, a resident of Dakshin Kannada district.
A government “by the people and of the people” should naturally provide ideal governance “for the people.” However, this is often far from reality. A fundamental issue with democracy is that voters do not always make rational or fully informed decisions. Political decision-making tends to be influenced by preconceived notions and a preference for instant gratification, which keeps many democracies focused on short-term growth. Consequently, the distribution of freebies undermines the integrity of elections, while negative campaigning by candidates significantly impacts voters’ perceptions and choices.
Today, 30th April, The Gujarat High Court declined an urgent hearing for a Public Interest Litigation challenging the uncontested election of a BJP candidate in Surat. Chief Justice Agarwal emphasized adherence to established legal procedures for election grievances, rejecting the use of PILs for election disputes. This case raises important questions about fair electoral processes and democratic perception.
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The Supreme Court of India today declined to entertain a plea regarding Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) irregularities, citing past examinations of similar issues. Justices emphasized the inherent flaws and merits of every system, expressing judicial fatigue over repetitive petitions. They reiterated the need to move forward and not base legal challenges on assumptions, underlining their discretion in revisiting settled issues.
The Supreme Court criticized the Returning Officer for the Chandigarh mayoral election, directing a recount of eight disputed ballots with ‘X’ marks. The officer’s actions were deemed undemocratic and he was ordered to be prosecuted. The court expressed concern over the election process and mandated the preservation of election records. This could potentially change the election outcome.