Voters cannot be punished for not wanting to vote: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday (April 16, 2026) said voters cannot be punished or “arrested” for choosing not to go to the polling booth on election day.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, heading a Bench, said voters are expected to exercise their right on their own accord. The decision whether to vote or not lay with the elector.