Supreme Court says high turnout in Bengal and Tamil Nadu is true sign of democracy

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday welcomed a record 92 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections as a sign of the strength of the country’s democratic process after disposing of a petition challenging a petition challenging the special intensive amendment and deploying judicial officials for a fair review. Following the remarks by Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, TMC MP and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, a vehement opponent of SIR, said, “A good thing has happened. A record 92% The turnout happened because all the migrant workers flocked to the state to vote because they feared that if they didn’t, their names would be removed from the electoral rolls”.

People must realize the power of their vote: CJI Kant

“Another benefit is that, apart from sporadic incidents, there was no violence during the voting,” Judge Budge said. CJI Kant said, “As a citizen of India, I am happy to see the high turnout. People need to participate in voting.”Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also said that the forces did a commendable job in curbing the violence, leading to high voter turnout. Justice Bacchi quoted a Bengali maxim to describe the violence during the earlier state elections and said: “When kings fight, the poor suffer and die”.CJI Surya Kant said: “In a democracy, people must realize the power of their vote. More than 92 per cent people went to vote. When people go to vote in large numbers, there will be no violence. This shows that people realize that their power lies in the democratic system.”“The 92 per cent voter turnout is historic. Apart from sporadic incidents of violence, the work of the forces is commendable. We must thank them. There have been incidents of violence in the state both before and after polling,” SG Mehta said.The CJI added: “This reflects the fairness of the democratic process. Voter turnout was also high in Tamil Nadu. ““Voting in the democratic process is something that needs to be protected and respected. Otherwise, the essence of democracy is lost,” Judge Budge said.Turning to DS Naidu, senior advocate representing the organization election committeeJustice Bacchi said, “Naidu’s client received applause from all for the changes.” Disagreeing with this unexpected praise for the EC, Banerjee disagreed and said the EC had come under fire from the Kolkata HC in the past three days. Naidu protested and said Banerjee was unfair and wrong. “It was Banerjee who abused the EC in court,” he said.Mehta asked the judge to end the proceedings and warned that the Trinamool debate would be reduced to political rhetoric. The bench ended the day by inviting Naidu and Banerjee to have lunch together.