Tezzbuzz Desk- The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded the Election Commission in the matter of keeping records related to the electoral process safe. During the hearing of the election dispute between Congress leader TD Rajegowda and BJP's DN Jeevaraja, the Commission's lawyer said that the original video recording of the re-counting is not available. Expressing displeasure on this, the court questioned how the Election Commission can say that its records are missing.
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to present all the available records at the next hearing. The court warned that if relevant records were not produced, adverse inference could be drawn against the commission. The court said that conducting elections is the main responsibility of the Commission and it is very important to keep the documents related to it safe.
Question on negligence in keeping records safe
During the hearing, the Supreme Court also expressed displeasure over the Commission's reply that efforts were being made to search the records. The court asked that when the relevant records were given to the selected candidate, why arrangements were not made to keep them safe. The court made it clear that the availability of documents and records related to the electoral process cannot be taken lightly.
Instructions to present records till next hearing
The Supreme Court asked the Election Commission to present all the relevant records available with it in the court till the next hearing. The court also made it clear that weak arguments will not be accepted in case records are not available.
Documents related to vote counting and re-counting are important evidence in election disputes. With their help, the process of recounting and compliance with related rules can be checked. In such a situation, non-availability of the original video recording has become an important issue of the hearing.