Chandigarh mayor election-A travesty: Manipulation of Chandigarh Mayor Poll has Grave Implications for Democracy

Source: The post Chandigarh mayor election has been created, based on the article “A travesty: Manipulation of Chandigarh mayor poll has grave implications for democracy” published in “The Hindu” on 7th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- polity-powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

News: The Supreme Court of India criticized the election of the Mayor of Chandigarh, suspecting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate won through unfair means. Chandigarh mayor election-A travesty: Manipulation of Chandigarh Mayor Poll has Grave Implications for Democracy

What Happened in The Chandigarh Mayor Election?

The Chandigarh Mayor election unfolded amidst a series of events. Initially scheduled for January 18, it was deferred to January 30 due to the illness of Anil Masih, a BJP functionary. However, the election process came under scrutiny when the Supreme Court of India criticized it. They found that the presiding officer defaced ballots, resulting in eight votes being declared invalid.

What did The Supreme Court Say?

The Supreme Court of India scrutinized the Chandigarh Mayor election process, expressing dismay at the behavior of the presiding officer, who allegedly defaced ballots.

Consequently, the court ordered a review of the election and postponed the proposed Corporation meeting.

Additionally, the Supreme Court directed that the ballots and records be handed over to the High Court’s Registrar-General for further investigation.

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Way Forward

The Supreme Court’s directive to hand over the ballots and records to the High Court’s Registrar-General for further investigation is a crucial step. This investigation will help identify any irregularities and ensure accountability in the election process. Additionally, implementing safeguards against manipulation is essential to uphold the integrity of democratic elections in India.

Question for practice:

Analyse the events surrounding the Chandigarh Mayor election and the subsequent Supreme Court intervention.