India's apex court rejects PIL for breathalyser tests of voters at polling booths

India’s apex court declined a request Wednesday to implement breathalyser tests for voters waiting in line at polling stations during elections.

A panel consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta declined to intervene with the decision made by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, dismissing the plea, stating it as “more of a publicity interest litigation.”

Representatives from the Andhra Pradesh branch of the Janavahini Party argued that, given the enforcement of the model code of conduct, voters under the influence of alcohol should not be allowed to cast their ballots.

However, the bench rebuffed the proposal, denouncing it as a mere publicity stunt. They highlighted the dry day status on polling days, accompanied by extensive police presence, rendering such tests unnecessary. The court promptly dismissed the petition.

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Previously, the Andhra Pradesh division of the Janavahini Party had taken the matter to the high court, which rejected the plea on February 28th.

The high court pointed out the petitioner’s failure to cite any specific legal mandate obligating the Election Commission of India to enforce breathalyser tests for individuals entering polling booths before casting their votes.

The political party has challenged the inaction on the part of the Election Commission on its representation dated January 6 seeking the arrangement of a breathing analyser at the entry point of the queue being maintained at every polling booth and allowing only those voters to exercise their voting right, who are uninfluenced by alcohol.

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It has sought direction to the poll panel to arrange a breathing analyser at the entry point of queues at polling booths and allow only those voters to exercise their voting right, who are uninfluenced by alcohol.

With inputs from PTI