Bombay HC unseals EVMs in Rane election fraud case

The Bombay High Court in India has ruled in favor of releasing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) that were sealed as part of an election petition. This ruling arises from allegations made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Vinayak Raut, who claims that Narayan Rane, a BJP leader, engaged in corrupt practices to win the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency during the elections held on May 7, with results announced on June 4. Rane was declared the victor with a margin of 47,858 votes over Raut, who is demanding fresh elections based on these claims. The Election Commission of India had filed an application to release 1,944 Ballot Units and Control Units for the upcoming Assembly elections. The court emphasized that there were no objections from involved parties regarding the usage of those EVMs. As per regulations, EVM data remains intact for approximately 45 days post-election, allowing for potential challenges during this period, making the machines critical for verifying the election results. Justice Sarang Kotwal acknowledged this consensus, facilitating the timely use of the EVMs in upcoming elections, thereby reinforcing the procedural transparency of the electoral process. The court's decision is anticipated to impact political dynamics as it underscores the ongoing scrutiny of electoral integrity in the region. The hearing on the election petition will proceed on November 11, while Raut seeks a stay on Rane's parliamentary activities until a final determination is made regarding the claims of election misconduct.