Results for: Supreme Court Ruling

Unsuccessful candidates in the recent Lok Sabha elections seeking verification of electronic voting machines (EVMs) will have to pay Rs 47,200 per EVM set, according to the standard operating procedure issued by the Election Commission. The move comes after the Supreme Court rejected the demand for reverting to the old paper ballot system but allowed unsuccessful candidates to seek verification of EVM microcontroller chips. The verification will be restricted to a maximum of 20 ballot units, 10 control units, and 10 VVPATs.

The Congress party is expected to finalize its candidates for the Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on April 27th. Meanwhile, the second phase of Lok Sabha elections saw a 61% voter turnout across 13 states. In a significant development, the Supreme Court has upheld the EVM system of polling, rejecting a plea to revive paper ballots.

Ohio’s seven state universities have paused their race-conscious scholarship programs due to concerns about legality in light of a recent Supreme Court decision. Attorney General Dave Yost advised that using race as a factor in scholarship awards may be unconstitutional. This follows a nationwide trend, with several other states and universities eliminating race considerations from scholarships and financial aid. The Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard banned the use of race in admissions, except under limited conditions. The ruling also highlighted strict scrutiny standards for programs affecting fundamental rights, such as education. Campus leaders are considering factors like socioeconomic status and academic achievements as alternatives to race in admissions and financial aid decisions. However, legal scholars debate whether the ruling extends beyond admissions to scholarship programs. Some argue that universities can still consider race under strict scrutiny and with a compelling state interest in diversity. Students are advised to stay informed and consider criteria such as income and civic engagement in their scholarship applications.