Supreme Court Reviews Plea on Voter Rights

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission of India on a legal challenge to Section 53 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The plea argues that the section prevents voters from choosing the 'NOTA' option in uncontested elections with only one candidate.

The Supreme Court has initiated a response from the Centre and the Election Commission of India regarding a plea that contests a section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The provision in question reportedly hinders voters from opting for the 'none of the above' (NOTA) option when only one candidate is contesting.

The case was put forth to a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan. The plea challenges Section 53 (2) of the Act, which directs that if the number of candidates matches the seats available, those candidates should be declared elected unopposed, bypassing any option for voters to express dissent via NOTA.

Legal representatives Arvind Datar and Harsh Parashar appeared on behalf of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. The plea highlights that since 1952, over 82 lakh voters have missed the opportunity to express their discontent in uncontested elections and urges the Supreme Court to review and potentially strike down this section to uphold voter rights.

(With inputs from agencies.)