Supreme Court refuses to entertain PIL seeking cancellation of Lok Sabha elections 2019

The Supreme Court on Friday turned down a public interest litigation (PIL) which questioned the use of electronic voting machines (EVM) in Lok Sabha elections 2019.

The PIL filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma also sought cancellation of elections.

A Bench headed by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman heard the PIL ."What are you asking for Mr Sharma? You want us to set aside the entire Lok Sabha elections?" said Justice Nariman refusing to interfere with the petition, terming it "devoid of merits".

In his petition, Sharma, citing provisions under 61 A of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951, contended that the Election Commission should not have replaced ballot papers with EVMs since the RPA specifically mentions ballot paper.

The apex court had earlier declined an urgent hearing to his plea on June 17. 

The opposition has alleged irregularities in the working of electronic voting machine (EVM) during the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. However, maintaining that no substance was found in past complaints regarding the EVM, the Election Commission has asserted that they are tamper-proof and cannot be hacked.

In May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs.

(With inputs from agencies)