The Supreme Court of India has entertained a PIL which has
sought directions to the Election Commission of India to display photographs of
candidates on the EVMs to curb the practice of dummy candidates with same or
similar names. The PIL raised the issue that quite often dummy candidates with
same / similar names are set up by vested interests to confuse the voters which
many a times alter the election result. This menace can be curbed if the photographs
of the contesting candidates are displayed on the Electronic Voting Machines
(EVMs) so that voters can meaningfully and properly exercise their right to
vote and to ensure that their vote has gone to the candidate of their choice.
The Supreme Court’s bench of Chief Justice R.M.Lodha,
justice Kurian Joseph and Justice RF Nariman, on 25th July 2014, issued
notice to the Election Commission of India returnable in ten weeks. The case is
“Akash Gahlot vs Election Commission of India” Writ Petition (Civil)
No.541/2014.
