Mon Nov 18 11:31:07 UTC 2024: ## Bombay High Court Upholds Mobile Phone Ban at Maharashtra Polling Booths
**Mumbai, November 18, 2024** – The Bombay High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ban on mobile phones at polling booths during the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The court found no illegality in the ECI’s decision, stating the commission has the authority to implement measures ensuring the smooth conduct of elections.
The petition, filed by lawyer Ujala Yadav, argued that the ban would disenfranchise voters, particularly those relying on digital identity verification through the DigiLocker app. The petitioner requested the court to compel the ECI and the State Election Commission to allow voters to carry their phones into polling booths.
However, the High Court bench, comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, rejected this argument. The judges stated that while voters can use digital identity, there is no right to exclusively use mobile phones and DigiLocker for voter verification. The court emphasized the complexities of the election process and upheld the ECI’s authority to implement measures deemed necessary for its efficient operation. The petition was dismissed. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20th.
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