The DMK told the Madras High Court on Monday that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is putting election officials and others at risk of contracting the virus by allowing COVID-19 patients to vote via postal ballot. It would be better if they do not come to the patient polling stations and do not vote.
Senior advocate P.P., appearing before the First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamurthy. Wilson said that election officials, videographers, police officers and politicians have no clarity about who would come to the hospital and home quarantine and how they would do it. Withdraw postal ballot papers from those in quarantine. “Even in the Madras High Court, we are keeping every paper filed in this court on quarantine for 24 hours before touching them. But when it comes to the postal ballot, there is no clarity on who the patients will meet in quarantine and receive postal votes. It is better that the patients of COVID-19 do not come to the polling stations nor do they vote. ‘
Arguments were made during the hearing of a case filed by the DMK challenging Section 60 (c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which gives the ECI the right to create and give a new class of voters, such as ‘absentee voters’. Voting option through postal ballot, physically handicapped, people suffering from COVID-19, etc., to those above 80 years of age.
Mr. Wilson argued that enabling every voter to visit a polling station and make them feel free and independent for a few moments with electronic voting machines (EVMs) so that the voter could exercise his franchise without coercion. He said that such freedom could not be expected when voting through postal ballot due to the potential for influence from family and friends.
He said that there was no logic behind the decisions taken by the ECI on categorizing absentee voters. Seeing the basis on which the voters above the age of 80 can be given the option of voting through postal ballot, the senior advocate asked: “It has made a similar option for people suffering from cancer, blood pressure Why did not you? And diabetes? ”
Earlier, Senior Advocate representing ECI G. Rajagopal, and Additional Solicitor-General R. R. representing the Center. Sankaranarayanan said that the ECI was well within its powers to provide the option of voting through postal ballot to select voters. He also said that it was sufficient to take a decision after consulting the Center and there was no need to consult the State Governments.
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