Muslim women: HC dismisses plea against photo electoral rolls

Chennai, Sep 7 (UNI) Madras High Court today dismissed a petition seeking to restrain the Election Commission (EC) from publishing electoral rolls with photographs of eligible women voters, especially Muslim Gosha women voters, of all constituencies in Tamil Nadu, particularly for the by-election to Madurai Central Assembly seat.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Mr Justice K Chandru dismissed the petition of Ajmal Khan of Madurai District.

The bench said Rule 4 of the Registration of Electoral Rolls clearly said electoral roll for each constituency should be prepared in such form and language or languages as the EC might direct. So, the EC was within its jurisdiction in presenting a form containing photographs of eligible voters.

'There is absolutely no substance in the contention of the petitioner that the electoral rolls would offend Article 25 of the Constitution with regard to Muslim Women".

The EC had introduced the form in various states and elections had been held in accordance with the form prescribed by the EC and no complaint has been received against its publication. There was no substance in the petition and so it was dismissed, the bench added.

UNI XR VA BST1808