The Punjab and Haryana High Court has instructed the Punjab government to submit all communications exchanged with the Election Commission of India (ECI) concerning the availability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the forthcoming municipal elections. This directive was issued during a hearing on a petition seeking the use of EVMs in the civic polls.
Court's Directive
Justice Sureshwar Thakur, presiding over the case, emphasized the need for transparency in the electoral process. The court expressed concerns over the state's preparedness and the ECI's capacity to provide EVMs in time. The government has been given a deadline to produce the correspondence on the next hearing date.
Background of the Petition
The petition was filed by a group of citizens and political activists who argued that EVMs ensure free and fair elections by minimizing malpractices associated with ballot papers. They highlighted that the state election commission had earlier expressed doubts about the availability of adequate EVMs.
Government's Stand
The Punjab government, represented by its counsel, submitted that it has been in constant touch with the ECI regarding EVM procurement. However, the court noted that the state failed to provide concrete details about the status of these discussions. The bench remarked that the right to vote is a fundamental right and any impediment in the conduct of polls must be addressed urgently.
Implications for Civic Polls
The municipal elections in Punjab are scheduled to be held later this year. The use of EVMs has been a contentious issue, with some political parties favoring ballot papers to ensure voter verifiability. The court's intervention is seen as a move to resolve the deadlock and ensure a smooth electoral process. The next hearing is set for next week, where the state is expected to present the complete correspondence.
