The Supreme Court refused to support a proposal for prohibiting candidates with names similar to those of political figures from participating in elections, asserting its inability to restrict individuals from running for office merely based on their namesakes.

Sabu Stephen, the petitioner, filed a public interest litigation contending that candidates with names similar to well-known political figures are strategically fielded in prominent constituencies to deceive voters. Emphasizing that this practice has resulted in the defeat of established candidates by a narrow margin, the petitioner urged the court to instruct the Election Commission of India to promptly address this issue to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

Declining to entertain the case, Justice BR Gavai remarked, "If candidates have been given names resembling others, it's beyond our jurisdiction to bar them from participating in elections. Consider names like Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav." Consequently, the court permitted the petitioner to retract the petition.

Namesake candidates are a longstanding tactic in electoral strategy, where individuals with names resembling those of prominent figures are strategically fielded by opposing parties. The objective is to create confusion among voters, leading them to mistakenly support the namesakes instead of the actual heavyweight candidates, thereby undermining the electoral prospects of the latter.

In the Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, a notable case arises with former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, commonly referred to as OPS, contesting as an independent candidate in the current election cycle. Interestingly, alongside the former AIADMK leader, there are four other candidates with the surname Panneerselvam on the ballot.

These candidates include Ochappan Panneerselvam, Oyya Thevar Panneerselvam, Ocha Thevar Panneerselvam, and Oyyaram Panneerselvam, all of whom are also contesting as independent candidates.

Similar strategies are being employed in other states as well. In Maharashtra's Raigad constituency, Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, has nominated Anant Geete as their candidate. However, Anant Geete faces competition from NCP's Sunil Tatkare. Interestingly, two additional candidates with the same name, Anant Geete, have entered the electoral fray as Independent candidates.