The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, recently took strong exception to the conduct of the returning officer in the Chandigarh mayoral polls. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) approached the apex court, alleging cheating in the election results, leading to a scathing response from the court.
The AAP, in its plea, claimed that the returning officer, Anil Masih, defaced the ballot papers, declaring AAP’s votes invalid and ultimately announcing BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar as the winner. The AAP had formed an alliance with the Congress and had a majority of 20 votes in the 35-member house. However, the BJP candidate was declared the winner with 16 votes, with 8 votes of the AAP-Congress alliance being declared invalid.
During the court proceedings, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud expressed his displeasure over the conduct of the returning officer, stating, “It is obvious that he has defaced the ballot papers, he needs to be prosecuted. Why is he looking at the camera? This is a mockery of democracy and murdering democracy. We are appalled. Is this the behavior of a returning officer?” The court observed that the returning officer altered the ballots, especially those with a cross at the top, and directed that he should be prosecuted for his actions.
The Supreme Court further directed the administration to hand over all ballot papers and videos related to the Chandigarh mayoral polls to the registrar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court also ordered the deferment of the upcoming meeting of the Chandigarh municipal corporation, emphasizing that the matter should be listed for the next Monday week.
The AAP’s allegations of cheating in the Chandigarh mayoral polls have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The court’s intervention reflects its commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring fair and transparent elections. The defacement of ballot papers is a serious offense that undermines the trust of the public in the electoral system.
The Aam Aadmi Party, led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, expressed deep concern over the manner in which the election results were manipulated. Kejriwal stated, “The manner in which cheating has been done in broad daylight in the Chandigarh Mayor elections is extremely worrying. If these people can stoop so low in a mayor’s election, then they can go to any extent in the country’s elections. This is very worrying.”
The Chandigarh mayoral polls have become a focal point for discussions on electoral integrity, prompting the Supreme Court to intervene and ensure a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct. The court’s directive to prosecute the returning officer sends a strong message that any attempt to manipulate election results will be met with severe consequences.
The incident also highlights the broader issue of electoral reforms and the need for stringent measures to prevent malpractices during elections. The integrity of the democratic process is crucial for the functioning of a vibrant democracy, and any breach of that integrity must be addressed promptly.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the spotlight remains on the Chandigarh mayoral polls, and the Supreme Court’s involvement underscores the significance of upholding democratic values and ensuring free and fair elections across the country. The outcomes of this case will likely have implications for future electoral processes and contribute to the ongoing discourse on electoral reforms in India.
