[JURIST] The Supreme Court of India [official website] ruled [judgment, PDF] Monday that seeking votes based on religion, caste, community, race, or language is not permitted. Religion and caste have previously affected elections in several Indian states, some of which have upcoming assembly elections. The ruling was a response to petitions [Times of India report] before the Court questioning whether a religious leader’s endorsement of a political party violated the Representation of People Act. The majority stated [BBC report], “Religion has no role in electoral process, which is a secular activity.” Of the seven judges, three dissented, saying that religion and caste are legitimate concerns for voters, especially minorities. The dissent also interpreted the existing Representation of People Act to mean candidates cannot use their own religion to win votes.

India is not the only democratic nation where religion influences elections. In August, former president of France Nicolas Sarkozy stated that he would ban the burkini [JURIST report] if reelected in April. The religious debate surrounding abortion [JURIST opinion] has been an issue in US presidential elections since Roe v. Wade. A similar religious debate is also occurring in Poland [JURIST report] and Ireland [JURIST report].