Representative image LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on Tuesday said that under the current law, no person or political party can be completely barred from contesting elections merely on the ground that it is influencing voters on the basis of caste or religion.The court said that it is the subject of the legislature to make laws in this regard, and the Election Commission cannot cancel the registration of any political party on this ground.A division bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice AK Chaudhary passed the verdict on a PIL filed by Motilal Yadav in 2013, seeking direction against holding of caste-based rallies by political parties. In an interim order in July 2013 itself, a bench of Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice Mahendra Dayal had stayed caste-based rallies “with immediate effect” throughout UP.In its final order on Tuesday, the court said that Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act is the only provision under which disqualification is permitted in cases of electoral malpractice. The high court clarified that the power to impose a pre-emptive ban on a political party or individual is not currently available in the law and that this matter falls entirely within the jurisdiction of the legislature. Citing previous Supreme Court decisions, the court stated that even the Election Commission does not have the power to deregister a political party except under limited circumstances prescribed by the apex court.The high court also clarified that the recognition of a recognized political party can be suspended or withdrawn under Paragraph 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. However, only the legislature, not the court, has the power to add new or additional provisions in this regard. The court, however, cited an order of the UP govt passed in Sept 2025 which bans caste-based rallies in the state.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India-US Trade Deal Removes Competitive Disadvantage’: Former Indian Envoy To WashingtonIndia-US Trade Deal: Trump Says India Won’t Buy Russian Oil; Rahul Gandhi Accuses PM of Selling Out’Symbol Of Negativity’: Goyal Rains Fire On Rahul Gandhi After US-India Trade Deal, Parl RuckusIndia-US Trade Deal: Moscow Contradicts Trump’s Claim On New Delhi ‘Stopping’ Russian Oil Imports’Called Me Yaar, Threw Papers’: TDP MP Tenneti Slams Eight Suspended Lok Sabha MPs’Dairy, Agriculture Protected’: Piyush Goyal Outlines ‘Historic’ US-India Trade Deal, Lauds PM ModiBudget 2026: Defence Expert Flags Committed Liabilities, Calls For Battlefield TransparencyPak Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Admits Terror Rooted In Corruption, Vindicates India In ParliamentGold, Silver Under Pressure After Peaks: Should You Invest And Hold Precious Metals Or Sell Off?India Moves To Secure Chicken’s Neck As Underground Rail Project Targets Strategic Vulnerabilities123Photostories9 nature-inspired baby girl names that mean ‘new beginning’Robin Sharma’s 10 rules for a better world: Simple wisdom, massive impactHow to make dhaba-style dal makhani at homeValentine Week 2026: Full list of important dates (7 Feb to 14 Feb) plus bonus Anti Valentine Week 2026 datesThere are only 6 countries whose names begin with the letter ‘U’Archana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi’s love story: From a ‘fling’ to three decades of togethernessA look into Yuvika Chaudhary and Prince Narula’s parenthood journeyFrom prehistoric sharks to unusual flowers: What’s inside the world’s largest cave6 common mistakes people make while cooking cauliflower6 luxury electric cars that blend sustainability with opulence123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesCigarette Prices HikeIndia US TradeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingArtemi PanarinMLB Trade RumorsAyesha CurryKayla NicoleNHL Injury UpdatePuka NacuaRussell WilsonDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsNikola JokicGold Riyadh Players Ranking
LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on Tuesday said that under the current law, no person or political party can be completely barred from contesting elections merely on the ground that it is influencing voters on the basis of caste or religion.The court said that it is the subject of the legislature to make laws in this regard, and the Election Commission cannot cancel the registration of any political party on this ground.A division bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice AK Chaudhary passed the verdict on a PIL filed by Motilal Yadav in 2013, seeking direction against holding of caste-based rallies by political parties. In an interim order in July 2013 itself, a bench of Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice Mahendra Dayal had stayed caste-based rallies “with immediate effect” throughout UP.In its final order on Tuesday, the court said that Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act is the only provision under which disqualification is permitted in cases of electoral malpractice. The high court clarified that the power to impose a pre-emptive ban on a political party or individual is not currently available in the law and that this matter falls entirely within the jurisdiction of the legislature. Citing previous Supreme Court decisions, the court stated that even the Election Commission does not have the power to deregister a political party except under limited circumstances prescribed by the apex court.The high court also clarified that the recognition of a recognized political party can be suspended or withdrawn under Paragraph 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. However, only the legislature, not the court, has the power to add new or additional provisions in this regard. The court, however, cited an order of the UP govt passed in Sept 2025 which bans caste-based rallies in the state.
