SC: Election Process Can't Be Stalled Over Individual Grievance

The Supreme Court on Monday said that election process cannot be lightly interdicted or stalled at the behest of an individual grievance.

- Press Trust Of India

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said in respect of individual grievances, the ultimate and exclusive remedy lies by way of an election petition.

The bench delivered its verdict on an appeal challenging a July 2025 interim order of the Uttarakhand High Court which had directed the returning officer to allot a symbol and permit a man to participate in the election to the office of zila panchayat member.

The top court said the right to contest or question an election being statutory in nature, must be strictly construed and exercised in accordance with the statute governing the field.

"The high court must, therefore, eschew the grant of liberal interim reliefs in favour of individuals and instead remain mindful of the overarching public interest in ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted conduct of elections across the state," the bench said.

"The election process cannot be lightly interdicted or stalled at the behest of an individual grievance," the bench said, while setting aside the high court's interim order.