The Bombay High Court has scheduled a hearing on November 18 for a petition seeking permission to allow voters to bring mobile phones to polling centers and show identification via the Digi Locker app. The petition, filed by advocate Ujala Yadav, a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena member, argues that banning mobile phones for general voters is a violation of constitutional rights under Article 14, as polling staff and election officers are permitted to carry theirs.

Inconvenience for Voters, Especially Vulnerable Groups

The plea highlights the inconvenience faced by senior citizens, women, and solo voters who may avoid voting due to the mobile phone restriction. Yadav argued that in today’s digitized world, mobile phones are a necessity for communication, and allowing voters to present ID digitally through the government-approved Digi Locker app would streamline the voting process.

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Election Commission’s Stance on Mobile Phone Use Near Polling Stations

In a notification issued on June 14, 2023, the Election Commission of India stated that only election observers, authorized officials, and police personnel may carry mobile devices within a 100-meter perimeter of polling stations. The rule aims to maintain security and prevent disruptions, but Yadav’s petition argues that it unfairly restricts general voters and is out of step with modern digital practices.

Rising Use of Digital ID Verification

The petition points to the widespread adoption of the Digi Locker app, which has over 321 million users and holds more than 7.76 billion documents issued by government departments, as evidence of the need for digital solutions in voter identification.

The High Court’s upcoming decision could impact the rules for mobile phone use at polling stations, especially as the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach on November 20.

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