2025 Chandigarh mayoral polls: SC appoints former Punjab, Haryana HC judge as independent observer

A two-judge bench of the apex court, led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, on Monday, also ordered full videography of the mayoral polls to be held at Chandigarh on January 30.
Supreme Court of India
Supreme Court of India(File Photo | EPS)
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The Supreme Court on Monday in its order appointed former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, Justice Jai Shree Thakur as an independent observer for this year's Chandigarh mayoral elections, keeping in view the last year's polls which saw tampering of ballot papers.

Last year's mayoral elections, held in January 2024, was witnessed with serious allegations of tampering of ballot papers, forcing the SC to interfere and subsequently cancel the election of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate.

A two-judge bench of the apex court, led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, on Monday, also ordered full videography of the mayoral polls to be held at Chandigarh on January 30.

On the last date of the hearing, the apex court issued notice to the Chandigarh administration and asked it to file its reply on appointing an independent observer to oversee the January 30 mayoral elections.

The bench of the top court issued notice to UT administration after hearing a plea filed by Chandigarh mayor Kuldeep Kumar who sought a 'show of hands' instead of a 'secret ballot' to ensure a fair polling process.

Last year on February 20, the top court declared defeated AAP-Congress alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar the UT’s mayor overturning the result of the mayoral poll where the BJP nominee earlier declared as the winner.

Anil Masih, the former returning officer in last year's Chandigarh mayoral polls, had been severely castigated and indicted by the apex court in connection with his alleged role for defacing eight ballot papers.

For his alleged role, Masih has to tender an unconditional apology in the matter, as the apex court slammed him for his misconduct.

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