The Supreme Court has made a scathing remark about rigging in elections. The Supreme Court has observed that any attempt at booth capturing or bogus voting must be dealt with sternly as it ultimately affects the rule of law and democracy. The Supreme Court on Friday made the remarks while dismissing the appeal of a man convicted for rioting at a polling booth in Jharkhand. Referring to its earlier judgments, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said that the freedom to vote is part of the freedom of expression.
The bench said that the essence of the voting system should be to ensure the freedom of the voters to exercise their free choice. Therefore, any attempt at booth capturing or bogus voting must be dealt with strictly as it ultimately affects the rule of law and democracy.
The Supreme Court said that secrecy of voting is necessary to strengthen democracy. Observing that it is necessary to maintain secrecy in elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, the bench observed that in a democracy where direct elections are held, it is important to ensure that voters cast their votes without any fear and their votes are disclosed. be afflicted.
The bench said that democracy and free elections are part of the basic structure of the Constitution. The election is a mechanism that ultimately represents the will of the people. No one can be allowed to undermine the right to free and fair elections.
The top court dismissed the appeal filed by Laxman Singh, who was convicted under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 147 (rioting) of the Indian Penal Code. It said that since the state has not preferred the appeal against the six months imprisonment awarded to Singh, the matter remains there.