The Supreme Court asks the Union government to explain its position on the use of “totalisers” in elections as part of a petition seeking safeguards for voters. The petition, filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, argues that totalisers would help protect voter privacy and reduce the risk of reprisals against individual voters.
In response, the Election Commission of India warns against introducing totalisers at this stage. The EC says the move could be risky because public confidence in voting technology is already under scrutiny, with EVMs routinely facing public questioning. The government’s explanation is being sought as the court considers the implications of totalisers for electoral processes.
The two reports frame the hearing through different emphasis: one highlights the petitioner’s rationale focused on privacy and voter protection, while the other foregrounds the EC’s caution about timing and practical risks related to public perceptions of voting systems. Both accounts converge on the fact that the matter is before the Supreme Court and involves the Centre’s stance and the EC’s objections or concerns.
