Supreme Court Petitioned for Re-Election in Haryana
Concerns Over EVM Discrepancies
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking a directive for the Election Commission to conduct re-elections in 20 assembly seats in Haryana. The petitioners, Priya Mishra and Vikas Bansal, represented by advocate Narendra Mishra, have raised concerns about discrepancies in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used during the elections.
Battery Capacity Issues
The petition highlights that some EVMs were operating at 99% battery capacity, while others were below 80%. This inconsistency was noted during the counting process on October 8, 2024. The Indian National Congress also raised concerns about these discrepancies, but reportedly received little response from the Returning Officers.
Turnout Data Concerns
The petition also questions the turnout data published by the Election Commission, noting unexpected changes in percentages. The petitioners argue that these issues could indicate corrupt electoral practices.
Legal Basis for the Petition
The petitioners have filed this Public Interest Litigation under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, aiming to ensure free and fair elections and uphold democratic processes. They seek the enforcement of fundamental rights and adherence to the People Representation Act 1951 and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and justice in the country.
Petition -: A petition is a formal request made to a court or authority. In this case, people are asking the Supreme Court to look into election issues.
Re-Election -: Re-election means holding the election again. This is requested when there are problems or unfairness in the original election.
Haryana -: Haryana is a state in northern India. It has its own government and holds elections to choose leaders.
EVM -: EVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine. It is used in India to help people vote during elections.
Discrepancies -: Discrepancies mean differences or inconsistencies. Here, it refers to problems or errors with the voting machines.
Indian National Congress -: The Indian National Congress is a major political party in India. It often participates in elections to form the government.
Constitutional rights -: Constitutional rights are the basic rights given to all citizens by the Constitution of India. They include the right to vote and have fair elections.
Electoral laws -: Electoral laws are rules that govern how elections are conducted. They ensure that elections are fair and transparent.
