The law does not distinguish between civil and criminal imprisonment. It permits convicts out on bail to vote, not undertrials in jail.
Stock photo (iStock)
Why should undertrial prisoners not be given the right to vote? As India goes to the polls, we realise we have a choice. Either we extend the right to vote to prisoners. Or, if we intend to be stringent on decriminalisation and adopt a “take-no-prisoners” approach, then those in prison should not be allowed to contest elections either.