Supreme Court Denies Postal Ballot for Outstation Students
NEW DELHI: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has denied the request for postal ballot facilities for lakhs of students studying away from their native towns. This decision came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to extend voting options currently available to armed forces personnel to these students.
Advocate P K Mullick, representing the petitioner, argued that many students wish to exercise their franchise during elections. However, the bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, emphasized the complexities of conducting elections for a voter base nearing 100 crore. They stated, “We will not further complicate it by allowing postal ballot facilities to outstation students. You can either vote at your native place or transfer your voter registration to the city where you are studying.”
Election Commission’s Stand
The Election Commission of India (ECI) expressed reluctance to extend postal ballot facilities, suggesting that students should either return home to vote or update their voter registration. This decision comes as preparations ramp up for the upcoming Delhi elections in 2025, where major parties including AAP, BJP, and Congress are gearing up for fierce competition.
Historical Context
This ruling follows a similar rejection in December last year, where the Supreme Court declined a PIL aimed at allowing non-resident Indians (NRIs) to vote via postal ballot. With ongoing discussions around voting rights and accessibility, this decision has sparked a debate on the representation of outstation students in the electoral process.
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