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.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/indian-navy-assists-panama-tanker-sc-questions-ec-on-delayed-turnout-data-upload-reasons/