Plea To Direct ECI To Disclose Form 17C Record Of Votes Polled : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

24 May 2024 10:15 AM IST

  • Plea To Direct ECI To Disclose Form 17C Record Of Votes Polled : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing

    The Supreme Court is hearing today an application seeking the uploading of Form 17C data on the ECI website and the publication of booth wise voter turnout data.A vacation bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and SC Sharma will hear the matter. The application has been filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). A writ petition filed by TMC leader Mahua Moitra in 2019...

    The Supreme Court is hearing today an application seeking the uploading of Form 17C data on the ECI website and the publication of booth wise voter turnout data.

    A vacation bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and SC Sharma will hear the matter. The application has been filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). A writ petition filed by TMC leader Mahua Moitra in 2019 alleging discrepancies in the voter turnout data of the 2019 General Elections is also listed today along with it.

    The ECI has opposed the application stating that there is no legal mandate for the general public to access Form 17C. The ECI stated that as per the Conduct of Election Rules, Form 17C can be given only to the polling agent of the candidate. The ECI also said the uploading of Form 17C on the website can lead to "mischief" and confuse the voters leading to mistrust in the process.

    Follow this page for live updates from today's hearing.

    Live Updates

    • 24 May 2024 11:42 AM IST

      J Datta : we are simpliciter adjourning the matter, giving one observation as to why the relief cannot be granted at this stage ...we are not dismissing

      Order: the counsel for the applicants in IA and Senior Counsel for ECI...the arguments on the IA were heard, prima facie we are not inclined to grant any relief at this stage in view of the similarity on the prayers A in application and prayer in B, granting the interim relief would mount to final relief ..we list these applications after the vacation before the appropriate bench 

    • 24 May 2024 11:39 AM IST

      Singhvi: roughly 10Lacs 17C forms in a total of 543 constituencies, it is manageable because of the army below them

    • 24 May 2024 11:39 AM IST

      Singhvi: (3)SC doesn't apply the rules of interim v. final so strictly in WP...it has travelled since 2019, we are now on the cusp of the end of 2024 elections, if such issue are not decided ....

      J Datta: tomorrow is the 6th phase, 5 phases are over....this particular compliance would require manpower , we have to be very conscious of the ground reality, we feel this could be heard after the vacations   

    • 24 May 2024 11:35 AM IST

      Singhvi: (1) 329B not only covered in Ashok Kumar which says that what is barred is the questioning of the electoral result not the process; (2) my prayers in WP are directly on 17C- SC has decided an issue in my prayer - constructive or not -its a contorsion of words

    • 24 May 2024 11:33 AM IST

      Sighvi : ECI cannot be so desperate! we are not here for a payed matter, its pro bono (on Mr Singh interrupting petitioners )

    • 24 May 2024 11:31 AM IST

      Dave: this petitioner has an incredible record of getting excellent jurisprudence from this Court including criminal records of politicians

    • 24 May 2024 11:31 AM IST

      Dave : Mr Singh people have full faith in the ECI, including the counsels that come against it....if we are able to point out something which strengthens the elections process why should it be shut out? Please do not misunderstand

    • 24 May 2024 11:31 AM IST

      Dave: after 2 phases, ECI itself revises the voter turnout percentage

      J Datta: (refers to voter turn out app) I asked to Mr Singh, if they are statutorily obliged? he said no sir....now I have to say in open court its like -aa bel mujhe maar (come ox hit me!) 

    • 24 May 2024 11:28 AM IST

      J Datta: let me tell you , this application will be held after the elections , in between elections, hands off! we cannot interrupt, we are also responsible citizens

    • 24 May 2024 11:26 AM IST

      J Datta: 'and for all future elections' (in the prayer) those are the most important words .....the SC is yet to decide on 32 WP, and grant you reliefs, the matter is pending, you what this now as interim relief

      Dave : PIL have separate laws, civil procedure wouldn't apply

      J Datta: how many PILs we see - public interest, paise interest litigations etc....but what we are telling you is , you may not have approached at the appropriate stage with a proper prayer 

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