Election Commission of India should strictly follow law on registration of voters: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (Act) as well as and Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 while finalising voters' list. .A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice SS Magadum also said that the poll body should comply with executive instructions issued for registration of voters. "The respondents to strictly adhere to the statutory provisions as contained under the Representation of People Act, 1950 and Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. They shall also comply with the executive instructions issued from time to time in the matter of registration of voters and the time framework provided," the order said..The Court was hearing a plea moved by Whitefield Rising Trust seeking a direction to formulate a mechanism to process applications submitted for inclusion, transfer of names or any other modification to the electoral roll in a time-bound manner..Advocate SR Dodawad, appearing for the ECI, informed the court that necessary instructions have been issued for time-bound redressal of grievances pertaining to the inclusion and non-inclusion of names on the voters’ list. The petitioners had contended that no method was put in place to determine the number of applications submitted online..The Court after recording the process followed by the ECI, disposed of the petition while also taking note that citizens have remedies under the law with regard to issues related to registration of names or deletion of names. ."It is also stated that now the applications are being dealt with concretely and in case, any person is aggrieved in the matter, he has a remedy to approach the respondents in case of non-inclusion or in case of inclusion in the voters list. This Court is of the considered opinion that this court cannot cannot do a roving enquiry for the entire township of Bangalore. Therefore, in case any person is aggrieved by non-inclusion in the voters list, he does have a remedy under the People's Representation Act and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Ultimately, he does have a remedy before this Court also by filing a writ petition in respect of his individual cause of action. Any individual aggrieved in the matter shall certainly be free to avail the remedies under the law. With the aforesaid directions, the petition is disposed of."