SC agrees to hear a plea for standard format for election manifestos
The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a petition advocating for a standardized format for political election manifestos. The petitioner argues that such a format would increase accountability and ensure voters clearly understand the intentions of political parties.
Why it matters
This case could lead to significant regulatory changes in how political parties communicate promises to the electorate, potentially increasing political accountability.
The Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) to list for hearing a plea seeking a standard format for election manifestos of political parties so that their intentions and views on issues are clear to voters.
In an oral mentioning before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, petitioner-advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay said even the Supreme Court and the State High Courts have highly structured layouts in the form of causelists designed to inform advocates, litigating parties, and court officials of the daily scheduling of cases.
On the other hand, the format of election manifestos were left to the discretion of individual political parties, he said.
Mr. Upadhyay said the Election Commission of India (ECI) must consider a uniform format for manifestos.
“We will list this petition,” Chief Justice Kant said.
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