Postal vote lapse: Kerala HC seeks ECI's clarification, hearing on April 21

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged lapses in the postal voting process that left at least one government employee unable to exercise his franchise, and posted the matter for hearing on April 21.

The court was considering a petition filed by a state government employee who contended that his constitutional right to vote was denied despite complying with all procedures required for postal voting.

The plea comes in the backdrop of similar concerns raised ahead of polling in the state, which went to the polls on April 9 to elect 140 members to the Assembly.

Significantly, the fresh petition has brought renewed focus on assurances given to the court earlier this month.

On April 8, the ECI informed the High Court that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure that polling personnel were able to cast their votes through postal ballots before reporting for election duty.