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.
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.
Also Read: Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody Of BRS Leader K Kavitha Till 3 July
Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed for Bangkok on Thursday to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit…
The Delhi High Court has stayed the appointment of Anilkumar Prabhakaran as the General Secretary…
The Delhi High Court will hear the bail plea of former AAP MLA Naresh Baliyan…
The Supreme Court has granted a major relief to the Rajasthan government by upholding the…
The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the rising tendency to register rape cases based…
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone set a national record by handling 450 MMT of…