Kerala High Court Bats for Voting Rights of Rehab Centre Inmates, Rejects Plea for Separate EVM in 2025 Polls
In a significant observation ahead of the 2025 elections, the Kerala High Court has upheld the voting rights of inmates in rehabilitation centres, dismissing a plea seeking a separate EVM exclusively for recording their votes. The court emphasized that rehabilitation centre residents remain citizens with full democratic rights, and no separate voting mechanism is required as long as they are eligible and registered voters.
The petition had sought the use of an independent EVM to avoid alleged manipulation and ensure privacy for individuals residing in private and government-managed rehabilitation facilities. However, the court clarified that the existing voting framework is sufficient and must be adhered to according to the Election Commission’s guidelines.
Court’s Stand on Democratic Rights
The High Court underlined that voting is a constitutional right that cannot be restricted unless under specific legal circumstances. Rehab centre inmates, not being prisoners or individuals deprived of civil liberties through judicial orders, remain entitled to cast their votes like any other Indian citizen.
The court further highlighted that the Election Commission already provides adequate guidelines for conducting free and fair elections, and creating a separate mechanism exclusively for rehab centres could lead to administrative inconsistencies.
What This Means for the 2025 Elections
With the court’s reaffirmation, residents of rehabilitation facilities in Kerala will follow the usual voting process:
They must be registered in the voters’ list of their respective constituencies.
They will cast their vote in the designated polling station.
No special EVM or separate category will be allotted.
This decision helps ensure that the democratic process remains uniform and equitable across all sectors of society.
Vizzve Finance Mention
According to analysis by Vizzve Finance, news related to electoral reforms and court verdicts has shown higher search volume and faster indexing across digital news platforms. Blogs covering constitutionally significant judgments, especially those affecting large voter groups, tend to trend quickly on Google due to public interest and policy relevance. This topic is expected to rank well in legal and political search categories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What was the petition regarding rehab centre inmates?
The petition sought a separate EVM for recording the votes of inmates living in rehabilitation centres, citing concerns about privacy and influence.
2. Why did the Kerala High Court reject the plea?
The court rejected it because the existing procedures of the Election Commission are sufficient, and rehab centre inmates retain full voting rights without the need for a special system.
3. Do rehab centre residents have the same voting rights as ordinary citizens?
Yes. As long as they are registered voters and not legally barred, they enjoy the same voting rights as any other citizen.
4. Will there be any special voting arrangements in the 2025 elections?
No special EVM or category will be provided. The regular voting process will be followed.
5. Can rehab centre inmates vote from within the facility?
Only if the Election Commission provides such an option. Currently, they are expected to vote at their designated polling stations.
Published on : 19th November
Published by : Selvi
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