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New Delhi, Oct 19 (IANS) Ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Delhi High Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to expedite the verification process of newly formed political outfit, Party for Rights of Other Backward Classes, within six weeks.
A single-judge bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna was hearing a writ petition filed by President Rathina Sabapathy, seeking time bound physical verification of party members required for registration under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
According to the petition, the party was officially formed during the general body meeting held in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on April 9. Subsequently, an application for registration was submitted to the Election Commission on 29 April.
With Tamil Nadu Assembly elections likely to be announced in January 2026, the petitioner party expressed concern that any delay in registration may prevent the party from contesting the elections under a common symbol.
The Delhi High Court in its order said, “The present writ petition has been filed in view of the fact that the State Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are likely to be announced in January 2026. Thus, it is submitted that delay in registration may prevent the party from contesting the elections under a common symbol. In view of the said fact, the present writ petition has been filed.”
Justice Pushkarna was informed by the election body that a letter has already been sent to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu on October 13, requesting physical verification related to the party’s application. However, the ECI is still waiting for the requisite information from the office of the CEO.
After hearing the submissions, the Delhi HC ordered: “The respondents shall complete the verification process expeditiously, preferably, within a period of six weeks from today.” It further directed that after verification, appropriate steps should be taken for the process of registration of the party.
–IANS
PDS/VD