SC seeks clarity on voting rights of defence staff

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and the Election Commission to clarify their stand on a petition seeking its direction to allow defence personnel to cast their vote in constituencies where they are posted.

A bench presided over by Justice A K Patnaik admitted the petition challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Courts verdict dismissing the plea made by Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

The apex court issued notice to the Union government and the Election Commission seeking their response within four weeks. The petitioner wanted permission to the defence personnel to cast their votes in coming general election in the constituency of their posting as the present rule deprived of them their statutory right till they completed three year at the place.

“The present petition and questions raised therein concerned not only the armed forces personnel but also their families who are posted outside their home towns and are presently unable to cast their votes,” it said.