Bombay High Court calls for more polling booths in Maharashtra

The Bombay High Court has stated that more polling booths should be available for future elections of the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). The court made this decision after accepting the state's point that it was too late to create additional booths for the upcoming elections on April 3, just two weeks away. Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale expressed the need for more polling centers to encourage better participation from voters. The court did not change the current election schedule but acknowledged concerns raised by several doctors regarding a potential low turnout. The petitioners, led by Dr. Sudhir Naik, argued that the elections were scheduled on a weekday and that the number of accessible polling locations was limited. During the hearing, the court agreed that the number of booths should be increased for future elections. The government lawyer, Jyoti Chavan, pointed out that previous elections held on Sundays resulted in a turnout of only 13 and 23 percent. While the state is not viewing this as a legal battle, they mentioned that logistical challenges prevent the addition of booths at this late stage. The court requested a response from the state by April 24, seeking a positive solution for future elections.