Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to explain by Tuesday whether extra facilities can aid voters who missed postal ballots in the April 9 polls, amid fears of disenfranchisement.
The bench flagged concerns over electoral fairness, posting the matter for hearing post-response from the poll body. With counting set for May 4, postal ballots could sway tight races.
The order arises from a state employee's petition claiming denied voting rights despite following postal ballot procedures under the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. It echoes a prior Kerala NGO Union writ highlighting delays in ballot distribution for election-duty staff from April 1-8.
The ECI had assured the court on April 8 of measures for such personnel, but officials noted many ballots arrived late—some not until April 6—while April 8 focused on logistics, curtailing voting time.
(Inputs from IANS)