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The petition expressed apprehension that the namesake candidates may not have knowledge and awareness about the political and administrative systems in India and could be getting "sponsorships" from rival political parties
The Supreme Court on Friday has dismissed a plea seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take “urgent steps” to solve the issue of namesake candidates in polls.
"An individual cannot be asked not to contest an election just because they share their name with a politician...", the top court said.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Sandeep Mehta and Satish Chandra Sharma further said, "If parents have given similar names like Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav, how can they be prevented from contesting elections.."
When Justice Gavai told the petitioner's advocate that he was aware of the fate of this PIL, the petitioner chose to withdraw the plea.
The plea described the practice of fielding namesake candidates as “wrong” and an “old trick designed to create confusion in the minds of voters.”
Such a practice must be curtailed on a war-footing as each and every vote has the power to decide a candidate's future, court was further told.
Case Title: Sabu Stephen vs. Election Commission of India
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