Supreme Court will review Ballot Papers in Chandigarh Mayoral Election, citing Horse-Trading as a Concern

 Supreme Court will review Ballot Papers in Chandigarh Mayoral Election, citing Horse-Trading as a Concern

On Monday, the Supreme Court announced that it would review the ballots used in the January 30 Chandigarh mayor's race. There have been accusations that Anil Masih, the returning officer, tampered with eight votes, which were later ruled to be invalid and the BJP won. A petition against the returning officer for his actions during the elections was being heard by a court chaired by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

After hearing the case today, the highest court ordered that the polling paper used, which is presently in the Registrar General's possession, be brought before the court tomorrow. The nomination of a new returning officer who is independent of any political party was also mandated by the court.

Masih was also harshly criticised by the CJI for his behaviour and warned that he could face legal action. "What made you scoff at the voting papers? Only you were meant to sign the documents. "Where is the clause allowing for additional markings on voting papers in the rules?" questioned the CJI.

In response to claims that he had tampered with the ballots, Masih claimed that he was only marking ballots that the candidates had previously vandalised in order to prevent confusion. "The candidates stole and destroyed the ballot papers, defacing them.

The "horse-trading" that is going on in the background of the Supreme Court's hearing was also seen negatively by the court. It is believed that the CJI was alluding to the three AAP council members who defected and joined the BJP just one day before to today's session.

"The Registrar General of HC has seized custody of the ballot papers in compliance with the interim order. We order that the ballots that were turned over to the Registrar General should be produced in front of this court tomorrow at 10.30 AM. the required security measures to guarantee both the ballot papers' secure custody and the safe transportation of the judge selected by the Registrar General," the court ruled.

On February 5, a bench composed of Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, as well as the Chief Justice of India, declared that Anil Masih, the returning officer, need to be prosecuted because of video evidence showing him tampering with the voting papers.

It's clear that he tampered with the voting papers; he should face legal action. He's staring at the camera; why? Mr. Solicitor, this is killing democracy and making a mockery of it. We're horrified. Is this how a returning officer acts? Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud was quoted by Bar and Bench as saying, "Wherever there is a cross at bottom, he does not touch it and when it is at the top he alters it. Please tell returning officer that Supreme Court is watching him."