It challenged the Rajasthan State Election Commission's refusal to grant permission to conduct voter awareness campaigns ahead of the local body elections.
It also submitted that it was already conducting voter awareness programmes of its own.
If you are conducting it, that does not stand in the way of any other authority conducting a voter awareness exercise.
If they indulge in any corrupt practice in the name of voter awareness, you are there to regulate.
But you cannot take over or monopolise voter awareness exercises," held Justice Bagchi.
The plea before the Supreme Court was filed by social activist Aruna Roy, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan. It challenged the Rajasthan State Election Commission's refusal to grant permission to conduct voter awareness campaigns ahead of the local body elections.
Bhushan told the Court that the campaign, which has been conducted since 2004, seeks to educate voters about their democratic rights, including the option of choosing None of the Above (NOTA), and to discourage them from accepting money or other inducements in exchange for votes.
He submitted that the campaign did not support or oppose any candidate and involved small groups conducting interactive sessions in villages.
The State Election Commission opposed the request, arguing that it had examined the representation and found that the proposed campaign could be at the behest of someone else. It also submitted that it was already conducting voter awareness programmes of its own.
Justice Bagchi rejected this as a justification for denying permission.
"That is not something within your domain. If you are conducting it, that does not stand in the way of any other authority conducting a voter awareness exercise. You cannot restrict people from doing it. They will be your helping hand. If they indulge in any corrupt practice in the name of voter awareness, you are there to regulate. But you cannot take over or monopolise voter awareness exercises," held Justice Bagchi.
