Voting Without Choice? | India’s Legal Debate on Right vs Freedom | By Sunanda Reddy

Описание: 📍 Right to Vote vs Freedom of Voting | By Sunanda Reddy
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🗳️ Right to Vote vs Freedom of Voting — A Constitutional Distinction Explained
The Central Government has clarified before the Supreme Court that the right to vote and freedom of voting are legally distinct. This discussion arose during a challenge to Section 53(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, questioning uncontested elections and the absence of NOTA. This video breaks down the constitutional position, legal reasoning, and implications for electoral democracy in India.
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🧭 Key Highlights
🔹 Right to Vote (Statutory Right):
Defined under Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
It is a legal right, not a fundamental one.
🔹 Freedom of Voting (Fundamental Right):
Part of freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a).
Covers the voter’s liberty to express choice, including NOTA.
🔹 Issue Raised:
Petitioners (Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy & ADR) argued that not holding polls in uncontested seats denies citizens the right to register dissent via NOTA, violating freedom of expression.
🔹 Government’s Stand:
Voting is a form of expression only when a poll is held.
In uncontested elections, there’s no “choice,” hence no “freedom of voting.”
Cited PUCL vs Union of India (2003) — vote as an expressive act applies only when polling occurs.
🔹 Election Commission’s View:
Supported the Centre’s reasoning.
Treating NOTA as a candidate needs legislative change.
Conducting a poll just for NOTA would make elections meaningless if no one could be declared winner.
🔹 Election Commission of India (ECI):
A permanent constitutional body under Article 324.
Supervises elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President & Vice-President.
Local body polls are managed by State Election Commissions.
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🌍 Why It Matters
⚖️ Defines the fine line between legal rights and fundamental freedoms.
🧩 Reinforces constitutional clarity in India’s democratic framework.
📚 Sparks debate on the future of electoral reforms and citizen choice.
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🎯 UPSC / GS Relevance
📌 GS-II: Governance, Polity, Representation of the People Act
📌 GS-IV: Ethics — Rights, Responsibilities & Democratic Values
📌 Essay Insight: “Democracy survives when silence is also a choice.”
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