High Court notices to ECI, CEO

 The High Court vacation bench on Tuesday issued notices to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), in a petition seeking appropriate steps to make voting compulsory for all Indian citizens and to adopt an online voting method.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Ram Mohan Reddy and Justice L Narayana Swamy ordered issue of notices while hearing the petition filed by party in person K Ravindranath, a social scientist.

The petitioner had sought directions to the ECI and CEO to take appropriate steps to make all Indians vote, including the civil service officers on election duty. The petitioner had sought the implementation of an online voting facility by adding 50,444 election booths in Karnataka. The e-voting system would enable voters to cast their vote online from anywhere in India and abroad, he contended.

The petitioner contended that ECI had not taken effective steps to make voting mandatory despite approaching them since 2004. He further said that it was ignoring his recommendations.

The petitioner argued that despite Bangalore being the software capital of the country, online voting facility like in the US, had not been adopted. The petitioner said that even today, there are technologies available to enable online voting for the May 5 elections.
 
The petitioner cited the Motor Vehicles Act which says driving without wearing a helmet and seat belt is an offence and calls for fine.

“In the same manner, fine must be imposed on those citizens who do not cast their vote,” the petitioner argued.