Supreme Court Backs Voter Awareness Campaigns; Directs Rajasthan SEC To Reconsider Plea
Supreme Court has set aside the Rajasthan State Election Commission's decision to deny permission to a civil society group to conduct voter awareness campaigns.
The Supreme Court has set aside an order of the Rajasthan State Election Commission (SEC) refusing permission to civil groups to conduct voter awareness campaigns ahead of local body elections in the state.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the Rajasthan SEC to reconsider the activists' request within 48 hours.
The Court emphasised that voter awareness initiatives undertaken by civil society organisations should be encouraged rather than restricted merely because the election authorities are conducting similar programmes themselves.
"Everyone has a right to go for voter awareness. You should welcome it," Justice Bagchi observed during the hearing.
The activists had approached the Rajasthan SEC seeking permission to conduct voter awareness campaigns ahead of the ongoing local body elections. Their requests were reportedly rejected on the ground that elections were approaching and the proposed activities could potentially be undertaken at the behest of another person.
The SEC also submitted that it was already conducting voter awareness programmes of its own.
Opposing the rejection, Advocate Prashant Bhushan told the Court that the campaign was non-partisan and intended to educate citizens about their democratic rights. He submitted the initiative sought to discourage voters from accepting money or other inducements in exchange for their votes and inform them about electoral choices, including the None of the Above (NOTA) option.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that voter awareness campaigns are ordinarily expected to take place before elections approach, as activities conducted close to polling could potentially create the impression of campaigning for a particular candidate.
Court rejected the argument that the SEC's own awareness programmes could justify preventing other organisations from undertaking similar activities. Justice Bagchi observed that the Commission could regulate any corrupt practices carried out under the guise of voter awareness but could not claim exclusive control over such initiatives.
It ultimately set aside the SEC's refusal and directed it to reconsider the activists' request within 48 hours.
Case Title: Aruna Roy vs Union of India
Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice Mohana
Hearing Date: November 2, 2026