Universities, Colleges Should Not Be Used as Polling Stations Where Possible: Rajasthan High Court Advises ECI

The Rajasthan High Court has issued directions advising the Election Commission of India (ECI) to avoid, as far as practicable, using universities and higher education institutions as polling stations or for other election-related activities.

The Court observed that while conducting elections is a constitutional necessity, it should not come at the cost of academic disruption, particularly under the National Education Policy, 2020.

It emphasised that higher education campuses are specialised academic ecosystems and directed the ECI to plan alternative arrangements, keeping academic calendars in mind to minimise interference with teaching, examinations, and research.

[Jai Rao v. State of Rajasthan]