The Delhi High Court has postponed the Shahdara Bar Association elections, originally scheduled for May 9, to May 24. This decision was made by a full bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh, Justice Navin Chawla, and Justice C. Hari Shankar, following a report submitted by Justice Talwant Singh (Retd.), Chairperson of the Shahdara Bar Association Election Committee. The report highlighted significant logistical challenges, particularly concerning the availability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the financial requirements for conducting the elections.
Justice Singh's report indicated that the EVMs initially intended for the Shahdara elections were being allocated to the Saket Bar Association for their elections on May 9. However, Delhi University, the provider of these EVMs, confirmed their availability for May 24. The Chairperson emphasized that conducting the elections via paper ballots would be both complex and costly, advocating instead for the use of EVMs to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Financial considerations were also a significant factor in the postponement. The estimated cost for conducting the elections was projected to be between ₹20 to ₹25 lakh. To cover these expenses, the Election Committee requested each of the 34 contesting candidates to contribute ₹65,000. The High Court mandated that these contributions be deposited by May 13, warning that failure to comply would result in disqualification from the election process.
In addition to rescheduling the election date, the Court reiterated its previous directives to maintain the integrity and security of the electoral process. These include the deployment of police forces, installation of CCTV cameras, procurement and use of EVMs, and the counting of votes. The Court also instructed the Saket Bar Association Election Committee to release the EVMs immediately after their vote counting concludes, ensuring their timely availability for the Shahdara elections.
This postponement follows earlier disruptions in bar association elections within Delhi. Notably, elections at Karkardooma and Saket courts were previously canceled due to disorder and allegations of malpractice, including booth capturing and fraudulent voting. These incidents underscored the necessity for stringent measures to ensure fair and orderly elections across the city's bar associations.
The Delhi High Court's decision to postpone the Shahdara Bar Association elections reflects a commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process. By addressing logistical and financial challenges proactively, the Court aims to facilitate a transparent and efficient election, reinforcing the democratic principles within the legal community.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.