Voting Rights for Prisoners: Supreme Court to Re-examine Section 62(5) of RPA

Historically, the Supreme Court upheld this provision in the 'Anukul Chandra Pradhan v. Union of India' (1997) case, citing reasons such as the need to prevent the criminalization of politics and the logistical challenges of providing security at polling booths within prisons. However, the new plea suggests that with technological advancements and evolving human rights jurisprudence, such a blanket restriction is no longer 'reasonable' under the constitutional scheme. The challenge also invokes Article 326, which guarantees universal adult suffrage, arguing that the right to vote is a constitutional right that should not be curtailed arbitrarily. This judicial review is significant as it touches upon the core of India's democratic inclusivity. With over 75% of India's prison population consisting of under-trials, the outcome could redefine the civil rights of the incarcerated and the state's power to disenfranchise citizens. UPSC Relevance: This topic is directly linked to the 'Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act' and 'Fundamental Rights' in GS Paper II. It provides a critical case study for answers regarding the 'criminalization of politics' versus 'civil liberties,' and can be used to discuss the evolving interpretation of Article 14 and Article 326 in the context of democratic reforms.