SC seeks ECI’s response on increasing voters per polling station

The Supreme Court on Monday emphasised the importance of ensuring that no voter is excluded from exercising their franchise, as it directed the Election Commission of India to explain its 2019 decision to raise the maximum number of voters per polling station from 1,200 to 1,500. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar was hearing a public interest litigation filed by petitioner Indu Prakash Singh, who argued that the move disproportionately affects underprivileged groups and could deter voters due to longer queues and extended waiting times at polling stations. With an average voter turnout of 65.7%, polling stations with 1,500 registered voters could face logistical challenges, potentially leaving a segment of voters unable to participate. After granting a preliminary hearing to Singh on behalf of ECI, the court asked the poll body to justify its decision, setting out to examine whether the increased voter cap imposes undue hardships on citizens, particularly in constituencies with high turnout rates.