In a significant development on Tuesday, the Supreme Court turned down a petition brought forth by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) recent circular which relaxed the criteria for validating postal ballot.
Case So Far:
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta delivered the verdict, expressing their dismissal of the case, citing a lack of merit.
The Court declined to intervene in the matter, concurring with the decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had earlier rejected YSRCP’s writ petition on the grounds of alternative recourse and refused to delve into the case’s substance.
The controversy emerged following the ECI’s circular issued on May 30, which instructed election officials to deem postal ballots valid even in the absence of crucial information like name, designation, or seal, provided the attesting officer’s signature was present.
YSRCP had swiftly moved the apex court through advocate Mahfooz A Nazki, highlighting the imminent declaration of results for Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Parliament constituencies.
The party expressed concerns that inclusion of invalid votes, due to relaxed norms, would severely prejudice their interests.
Arguing against the High Court’s decision, the petition emphasized that YSRCP’s challenge was directed towards the ECI’s circular and not against any specific election.
The party contended that the challenge aimed at upholding the integrity of the electoral process, devoid of any malice or bias.
The recent elections in Andhra Pradesh witnessed a historic turnout of over five lakh postal ballots, marking a significant milestone in the state’s electoral history.
The outcome of this legal tussle could potentially influence the validity of a substantial number of these ballots.
As the legal battle unfolds, it underscores the delicate balance between ensuring the sanctity of electoral procedures and addressing the legitimate concerns of political stakeholders.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene sets the stage for continued debate and scrutiny over the conduct of elections and the interpretation of electoral norms.
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