HC issues notice to EC on PIL

The Madras High Court today issued notice to the Election Commission and the CEO of Tamil Nadu on a PIL seeking a direction to permit authorised agents of respective candidates to accompany the officers participating in the distribution of ASD (Absent/Shifted/Dead) photo voter slips on the day of polling, for the Lok Sabha polls.
The First Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Satish K.Agnihotri and Justice M.M. Sundresh, ordered issue of notice on the plea filed by a city advocate, L S M Hasan Fizal.
The petitioner prayed that authorised agents of the candidates be permitted to accompany Booth Level Officers or any other nominated officers in charge of distribution of undistributed Photo Voter Slips at the office of Electoral Registration Officers or Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO) after completing regular distribution.

He said this would help prevent distribution of the ASD cards to a wrong voter and ensure that the cards are distributed only on production of alternative proofs notified by the Election Commission.
He further suggested that a copy of these distributed and undistributed photo voter slips shall be furnished to the authorised agents of the respective candidates, who accompany the officers concerned during the distribution.
He filed the present plea as his representation in this regard on March 28, did not evoke any response.
The Election Commission, while issuing instructions about regular distribution of photo voter slips, reportedly did not make any mention about the mode of distribution of ASDs.