Gujarat HC steps in to restore voting rights ahead of Vapi polls

Vapi | Gujarat — In a major relief ahead of the upcoming civic elections, the Gujarat High Court has allowed a Vapi resident to contest and vote in the Vapi Municipal Corporation elections after his name was removed from the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The decision comes just weeks before polling scheduled for April 26, bringing attention to concerns about voter exclusion.

The petitioner, Shashank Anilkumar Mishra, a resident of Chharwada in Vapi, had approached the court after discovering that his name had been removed while others living in the same building continued to remain on the voter list.

Addressing the media, Mishra said, “My voter identity card clearly shows my name under the municipal corporation area. Yet, during the SIR process, my name alone was removed while all other residents in my building remained on the list.”

Dispute Over Electoral Roll Classification

The issue began when Mishra approached the Vapi Municipal Corporation for clarification. Authorities informed him that according to official records, his residence fell under the Vapi notified area rather than the municipal corporation jurisdiction, leading to the omission.

Unsatisfied with the explanation, Mishra filed a petition in the High Court on April 7, seeking restoration of his voting and contesting rights.

In its ruling, the High Court allowed him to participate in the elections, granting him the right to vote and contest as a candidate.

Corporation’s Stand

Municipal officials stated that Mishra’s name appeared in Section-1 of six sections under Pardi Assembly Part No. 181, which falls under the newly categorised notified area. According to the corporation, his name was excluded because no objection was raised during the electoral roll’s initial publication and final revision stages.

However, the court’s intervention has now ensured that the applicant’s democratic rights are protected.