After EC's plea, HC says order on EVMs need not be taken as precedent

Nainital: The Uttarakhand High Court, which had directed the judicial magistrates of six assembly seats to put their additional seal on EVMs of their areas following allegations of tampering, today clarified that its May one order need not be taken as a precedent elsewhere.

The high court modified its order after the Election Commission (EC) moved an application seeking amendment in its order as similar pleas were being filed across the country. The EC submitted that since it seals the machines after the conclusion of any election, such a direction was not needed.

Taking into consideration that election petitions demanding the sealing and seizure of EVMs are being filed "in excess" across the country, the court deemed it fit to direct that such petitions must not be affected by its order.

Earlier, the single bench of Justice Servesh Kumar Gupta issued notices to the winning candidates of six constituencies along with the state election commission, the EC, Chief Election Commissioner, Union of India and the returning officers.

Refusing the plea of the petitioners to seal and keep the EVMs and voter details in the custody of the court, it had directed the judicial magistrates of the constituencies in question to put their additional seal on the EVMs.