• UGI USER
  • May 09, 2024
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FOUR LAKH UNDERTRIALS UNABLE TO VOTE DUE TO SWEEPING BAN

Why in the news?

Over four lakh undertrials barred from voting; legal experts advocate for their voting rights amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

About Blanket Ban on Undertrials:

  • Over four lakh undertrials in various prisons nationwide are unable to vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections due to a sweeping ban.
  • Section 62(5) of The Representation of the People Act prohibits voting for individuals confined in prison, whether as convicts or undertrials.
Source:wordpress
What are the Provisions related to Prisoners’ right to cast their vote?

  • The right to vote is guaranteed by Article 326 of the Constitution.
  • Section 62(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits voting by individuals in police custody or serving imprisonment sentences.
  • Undertrial prisoners are also ineligible to vote, except those under preventive detention, who can vote via postal ballots.