EC CLARIFIES: ONLY POLL AGENTS ENTITLED TO FORM 17C, SUPREME COURT INFORMED

Why in the news?

The Election Commission (EC) states it has no legal obligation to provide Form 17C to anyone except candidates and their agents.
Responding to a petition by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the EC emphasizes that indiscriminate disclosure could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

source:slideshare

Key Points: Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)

Formation: ADR established in 1999 by IIM Ahmedabad professors, filing PIL for disclosure of candidates’ backgrounds.
Legal Milestones: Delhi High Court upheld PIL in 2000; Supreme Court made disclosure mandatory in 2002 and 2003.
Objectives: Focus on political and electoral reforms, combating corruption, empowering voters, ensuring party accountability, and promoting inner-party democracy.

What is Form 17C?

Form 17C: Part of Conduct of Elections Rules 1961, containing data on votes recorded.
Issuance: Given to polling agents of candidates at polling close.
Content: Includes electors and votes recorded, certified by counting supervisor.
Verification: Candidates use it to verify results on counting day.
Legal Significance: Central to Election Petitions and result challenges.
Transparency Demand: Activists call for public release of Form 17C data.
ECI Stance: Election Commission of India not legally obligated to publish aggregate voter turnout data.

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