Shivani Pandey-
Any attempt of booth capturing or false voting should be dealt with iron hands, as it ultimately affects the rule of law and democracy, the Supreme Court said.
The Court dismissed an appeal of a man convicted for rioting at a poll booth in Jharkhand.
Considering one of its earlier verdicts, a bench of Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah said freedom of voting is a part of freedom of expression.
The Court said, “The essence of the electoral system should be to ensure freedom of voters to exercise their free choice. Therefore, any attempt at booth capturing or bogus voting should be dealt with iron hands because it ultimately affects the rule of law and democracy. Democracy and free elections are part of the basic structure of the Constitution. An election is a mechanism that ultimately represents the will of the people. Nobody can be permitted to dilute the right to free and fair elections.”
The Apex court dismissed the plea filed by Lakshman Singh, who was convicted under sections 323 (voluntary causing hurt) and 147 (rioting) of the Indian Penal Code.
Since the State has not preferred the appeal against six-month imprisonment awarded to Singh, it rests the matter there.