Right to Vote and Contest Not Fundamental Rights: Supreme Court

Supreme Court recently reiterated that neither the right to vote nor the right to contest an election is a fundamental right. 

The Bench clarified that these are purely statutory rights that exist only to the extent conferred by law.

The Court emphasized a clear distinction: while the right to vote allows for the exercise of franchise, the right to contest is an additional privilege subject to stricter qualifications and eligibility thresholds.

This ruling set aside a High Court judgment regarding Rajasthan's Milk Unions, affirming that societies can regulate candidacy through bye-laws without infringing upon voting rights.

[Ram Chandra Choudhary & Ors. v. Roop Nagar Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Samiti Ltd. & Ors.]