In a landmark step, the Supreme Court on Tuesday got the votes polled in Chandigarh mayor election, held in January, counted before the bench and declared Aam Aadmi Party candidate Kuldeep Kumar as the elected Mayor of Chandigarh. The court has also ordered the prosecution of the returning officer Anil Masih, for his "misconduct" after finding serious lapses in the declaration of the January 30 election results.
The top court made it clear that it was not quashing the entire electoral process and was not limiting itself to dealing with the malpractices in the counting process which led to the invalidation of eight votes cast in favour of Kuldeep Kumar.
A bench comprising of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra, said it was clear that Masih made a deliberate attempt to mutilate the eight ballot papers.
The BJP had earlier won the mayor's post by defeating the AAP-Congress alliance candidate after allegations of tampering with ballot papers arose after the returning officer declared eight votes of alliance partners invalid.
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Manoj Sonkar defeated Kuldeep Kumar to get the mayor's post by getting 16 votes against his rival's 12 votes. However, Sonkar later resigned, while three AAP councilors have joined the BJP.
During the hearing the court has said that it will itself investigate the ballot paper marked by the presiding officer Anil Masih in the election.
The court will also examine the video footage of the case. The court said that the presiding officer did not follow the rules. The marks marked by him will be ignored and the votes will be counted. After this it has become clear that the mayor elections will not be held again.
Esta historia es de la edición February 21, 2024 de The Daily Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 21, 2024 de The Daily Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
ECI delegation in Jharkhand to review poll preparedness
A delegation of the Election Commission of India led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar arrived in Ranchi on Monday to review poll preparedness for assembly elections in Jharkhand expected to be held later this year.
Tirupati Prasadam row: BJP's TN unit urges Andhra govt to take action to restore trust
The BJP's Tamil Nadu unit on Monday urged the Andhra Pradesh government to take swift action to restore the trust of the devotees of Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple following the laddu prasadam controversy.
West Bengal BJP leaders stage protest, demand justice for RG Kar incident
West Bengal BJP leaders on Monday staged a protest outside the DC north office demanding justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder incident.
SC urges Parliament to amend POCSO Act to rename 'child pornography'
The Supreme Court on Monday urged the Parliament to bring a law amending the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to replace the term \"child pornography\" with \"child sexual exploitative and abusive material.
Apex court lists hearing on RG Kar rape-murder case for Sept. 30
The Supreme Court on Monday listed for September 30 the hearing on a suo motu petition on the rape and murder of a doctor in the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Farooq Abdullah urges support for Congress-NC alliance
National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah urged people to vote for the Congress-NC alliance in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, emphasizing that the contest is not about religion but about action.
Rahul Gandhi Criticizes PM Modi, Calls for Restoration of J&K Statehood
Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, accusing him of ignoring critical issues in Jammu and Kashmir while engaging in rhetoric through his \"Man ki Baat\" broadcasts.
Mayawati slams Congress for marginalising Dalit leaders
In the midst of an escalating political controversy surrounding the alleged sidelining of senior Congress Dalit leader Kumari Selja in Haryana, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of using Dalit leaders for political expediency.
Union Minister Bittu criticises Rahul, highlights respect for Sikhs as 'Sardar Ji
Following Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara's warning, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu arrived in Jaipur on Monday.
J&K: OVER 25 LAKH VOTERS TO DECIDE FATE OF 239 CANDIDATES IN 2ND PHASE POLLS
Poonch district, with three constituencies, has 3,52,330 voters facilitated by 483 polling stations, while Reasi has 2,37,205 voters and 436 polling stations.