Kerala High Court Declines Relief To Polling Officials Who Couldn't Vote In State Assembly Election

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (30 April) declined relief to polling officers who could not vote in the general elections of the State held on April 9.

Justice K V Jayakumar passed the order.

The writ petitions alleged large-scale denial of voting rights to government officials deployed on election duty during the State Assembly polls.

On April 8, the Court had directed the ECI to take corrective steps to ensure that election duty personnel receive their postal ballots without delay. Pursuant to the direction, the Commission issued an order on the same day to facilitate voting by such personnel.

However, counsel for the petitioners submitted that several voters on election duty did not receive postal ballots despite submitting their applications within the prescribed time. It was further argued that under Rule 27 of the Conduct of Election Rules, postal ballots must reach the Returning Officer before the commencement of counting, and therefore, the grievance could still be addressed before that stage.

During the last hearing the Court has questioned the the Election Commission of India (ECI) over allegations that more than 20,000 election duty staff were unable to cast their votes in the Assembly elections held on April 9.

The Court had earlier emphasised that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to provide necessary facilities to all eligible citizens, including those on election duty, to enable them to exercise their franchise.

(detailed order is awaited)

Case Title: Kerala N.G.O Union v Election Commission of India and connected matters

Case No: WP(C) 14379/ 2026 and connected matters

Counsel for Petitioner: Dinesh Mathew J. Muricken, Vinod S. Pillai, Nayana Varghese, Jerry Peter, Goutham Chandrasekhar, Ria Varghese, Goutham Chandrasekhar, Maroof, Nafiya Shahala C.K, T.B.Hood, M. Isha, Nayanpally Ramola, Aadithyan S. Mannali, Anoop V. Nair, Sharannya P., Athil P., C A. Beema Beevi, Ferra A Thankam

Counsel for Respondent: M Ajay (SC- ECI), Deepu Lal Mohan