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Supreme Court bans seeking votes in the name of religion

by IBNS 02 Jan 2017, 07:28 am

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IBNS) : In a landmark judgement the Supreme Court on Monday said that no politician can seek votes in the name of religion, caste and creed as election is a secular exercise, reports said.

A seven-judge constitution bench gave the ruling while hearing several petitions related to Hindutva cases.

"Election is a secular exercise and thereby its way and process should be followed," the top court said.
 
The Supreme Court clearly ruled that if a candidate was found to be seeking vote in the name of religion, it would be considered a corrupt practice under the Representation of People's Act.

"Seeking vote in the name of religion by the candidate will be dealt under Section 123(3) of the Representation of People's Act," the Supreme Court ruled.

It t also prohibited the use of the case, creed, language or community as a tool for seeking vote in election.

The Supreme Court further said : "relationship between man and God is individual choice. The state is forbidden to interfere in such an activity."