Supreme Court Orders Handover of Ballot Papers in Chandigarh Mayor Election Controversy

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has intervened in the controversy surrounding the recent Chandigarh mayor elections, directing that all ballot papers and original records, including videography, be handed over to the registrar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The apex court’s decision follows allegations of irregularities and vote tampering during the election process.

Key Points:

1. Judicial Intervention:

• The Supreme Court, while issuing notice on a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Kuldeep Dhalor, expressed grave concern over the alleged malpractices in the Chandigarh mayor elections.
• The court criticized the actions of the returning officer, stating that defacing ballot papers amounted to “murdering democracy” and emphasized the need to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process.

1. Scathing Remark:

• Describing the situation as a “mockery of democracy,” the apex court ordered the deferral of the Chandigarh municipal corporation meeting scheduled for February 7.
• The court’s rebuke comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the victory of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Manoj Sonkar in the mayor election, amidst allegations of vote tampering.

1. Allegations and Protests:

• Following Sonkar’s win, AAP members staged protests, demanding the arrest of the presiding officer for allegedly tampering with ballot papers.
• AAP councillors, led by party’s Chandigarh co-incharge Sunny Ahluwalia, staged a hunger strike outside the municipal corporation office, denouncing the BJP and calling for the removal of the “fake” mayor.

1. Political Ramifications:

• The Chandigarh mayor election, viewed as a litmus test for the opposition bloc, saw the BJP emerging victorious despite allegations of irregularities.
• Both the Congress and AAP had anticipated a win for their alliance in the 35-member Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, highlighting the significance of the outcome in the context of upcoming elections.

1. Legal Proceedings:

• The Supreme Court’s directive to transfer all election-related documents to the Punjab and Haryana High Court registrar signifies a crucial step towards impartial investigation and resolution of the electoral dispute.