HC upholds EC order on two leaves

DMK leader M.K. Stalin had filed a complaint before the Election Commission against the painting on small buses. File photo

The Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the Election Commission (EC)’s order to suitably cover the painted leaves on the State-owned ‘small buses’ in Tamil Nadu.

Disposing of a writ petition by the AIADMK, the First Bench comprising Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M.M. Sundresh said though the petitioner’s counsel and the Advocate-General submitted that the ruling party’s symbol (Two Leaves) did not resemble the picture on ‘small buses’, it was not inclined to go into the issue.

Wide powers

However, the court said that the EC’s and Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) powers were rather wide for conducting the elections in an appropriate manner.

The EC’s actions covered the State and transport authorities’ past actions as well and were taken in voters’ interest, the judges said.

Soon after the High Court ruling, CEO Praveen Kumar said the Transport Secretary, Braj Kishore Prasad, had been directed to ensure the order’s compliance.