Ker HC | Removal of a name from voter’s list without being heard is impermissible; voting rights of a person are invaluable and cannot be taken away

Kerala High Court: Shaji P. Chaly, J. heard a petition that sought relief due to the infringement of the right to vote as the petitioner’s name was named was removed from the voter’s list. The Court stated that the relief sought by the petitioner had become infructuous. However, the Court stated that deletion of name from voter’s list is a serious matter and it must be dealt with proper care.

The petitioner, a resident of Thiruvananthapuram, had an electoral identity card issued by the Election Commission of India. Despite having voting rights, in the Lok Sabha elections 2019, his name was omitted from the voter’s list. The petitioner always had voting rights but his name was removed from the list on the grounds that he had ceased to be an ordinary resident of the said constituency. However, his family members continued to have their names in the voter list. He requested the respondent authority to restore his voting rights so that he could exercise his voting rights. But when no action was initiated by the respondent, he approached this Court for relief by way of filing the present petition.

Petitioner appeared in person and contended that he was residing in the same building ever since he had voting rights. He submitted that although he and his family had shifted to a temporary residence till the time repair was carried out in his original residence, his family members still had their name in the voter’s list while his name was omitted from the list.

Counsel for the respondent, Murali Purushothaman, contended that according to Sections 22 and 23 of Representation of the People Act, 1951 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) any new name could not be included in the electoral list after nominations had been filed in the respective constituencies. He contended that petitioner’s name was deleted on the ground that he shifted to a different residence. Moreover, the Election Commission had also published a draft electoral roll and asked for objections if any, but the petitioner did not submit his objection for deletion of his name.

The Court held that voting rights of a person are valuable rights and it cannot be taken away by any means. Section 22 of the Act stated that before removing any name from the voter’s list, it was the duty of Electoral Registration Officer to hear that person in respect of any action being taken. Court stated these provisions are based on principles of natural justice and must be strictly followed.

The Court directed the respondent to conduct a detailed enquiry in the matter and if necessary, take appropriate actions against the officers who removed the name of the petitioner from voters list. It was also directed that in the event of petitioner making an application, his name be restored in the voter’s list.

The writ petition was disposed of in the above terms.[A. Subair v. Chief Election Commissioner of Kerala, 2019 SCC OnLine Ker 1914, decided on 10-06-2019]