E.M. AUGUSTHY Vs. ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Dated this the 3rd day of April, 2021 The petitioners are candidates in the upcoming Legislative Assembly Elections notified to be held on 06.04.2021. They are contesting from Udumbanchola, Devikulam and Peerumedu Assembly Constituencies in Idukki District. All these three constituencies are bordering the State of Tamil Nadu.

(2.) The petitioners submit that it is the experience in the past that large number of persons whose names are included in the voters list of Assembly Constituencies in the State of Tamil Nadu, cross borders of Tamilnadu and comes to Kerala for casting votes in the Assembly Constituencies in Kerala. Such bogus votes seriously affect the electoral process. The respondents are aware of this situation where large number of persons coming from bordering State to cast bogus votes in Kerala.

(3.) It is the contention of the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners that some measures are taken by the respondents like blockade of border roads. But such blockade on roads by the Police, are removed after some time and bogus voters are permitted to cross over to Kerala and cast votes on polling dates. In such circumstances, the leaned Senior Counsel for the petitioner urged that there shall be deployment of Central Forces during the polling date of Legislative Assembly Elections, which would prevent any possibility of bogus voters crossing the borders to Kerala.