The Bombay High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to ban mobile phones at polling booths for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. The PIL, filed by city-based lawyer Ujala Yadav, had urged the court to direct the ECI and State Election Commission to allow voters to carry phones and use the DigiLocker app for identity proof verification.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar ruled that the ECI has the authority to implement measures for ensuring the smooth conduct of elections. They rejected the petition, stating that there is no illegality in the ECI’s decision. The court highlighted that elections are a complex process, and while the petitioner suggested the use of DigiLocker for verification, it emphasized that no right exists to demand the presentation of documents through digital lockers.
The PIL also raised concerns that the ban on mobile phones might discourage voters, especially since arrangements for depositing phones at polling booths had not been made. However, the court dismissed these concerns, reinforcing the ECI's discretion in managing the election process.
