People in preventive detention have right to vote, says Election Commission

The Election Commission has reminded the concerned authorities of Maharashtra and Haryana that people in preventive detention have the right to vote and directed that instructions be issued to the proper officials accordingly.

The assembly polls in these two states will take place on October 15, with the counting scheduled to take place on October 19.

In a letter to Chief Secretaries of Maharashtra and Haryana, the Election Commission said that the Section 62 (5) of the Representation of the People Act and the Conduct of Election Rules specify that inmates can cast their votes via post.

The poll body further warned that there should be no grievances due to non-compliance of the directive.