Supreme Court Orders Fresh Calculation of Votes for Chandigarh Mayor Polls as Allegations of Malpractice Emerge
Image Source: The Hindu
On Monday, the Supreme Court of India announced the new counting of ballot papers and inspection of video footage of the process in the Chandigarh Mayor Elections as allegations of malpractice against the BJP arose. Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar resigned from his post on Sunday night. Three AAP councilors have joined the BJP since January 30, leading to the party being accused of ‘Horse Trading’.
The elections were held on January 30, 2024. BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar won with 16 votes, defeating AAP-Congress alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar (12 votes). Eight votes were deemed invalid by the presiding officer Anil Maish, who declared these votes as ‘invalid,’ eventually leading to BJP’s victory.
The political parties Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress have repeatedly blamed the ruling party for influencing the electoral results and posing a threat to the basic integrity of the democratic nation. They approached the Punjab and Haryana court with the video footage and later reached the Supreme Court for higher intervention in the case.
Instead of conducting fresh elections, the SC has announced that the results will be declared on the existing ballot papers, considering the fact that the addition of three AAP councilors could strengthen BJP and prove to be advantageous to the political party.
The Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has stated, “This man has to be prosecuted. This is a mockery of democracy. He is murdering democracy. Is this the way an officer has to conduct elections? We are appalled by his conduct.” The top court noted that his actions amounted to “murder” and a “mockery” of democracy.
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