Bombay High Court upholds ECI's mobile phone ban in polling booths

The Bombay High Court has upheld the Election Commission of India’s ban on mobile phones inside polling booths. The court dismissed a petition challenging the ban, stating that voters do not have a vested right to use the DigiLocker app for identification during elections. The petitioner, Ujala Shyambihari Yadav, argued that the ban violated his rights under the Information Technology Act, which recognizes digitally signed documents from DigiLocker as equivalent to physical documents. However, the court ruled that the Election Commission has the authority to implement measures ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of the voting process. The decision reinforces the Election Commission’s power to regulate election procedures and maintain a fair and secure voting environment, highlighting the balance between technological advancements and electoral integrity.