‘Mockery & Murder of Democracy’: SC Rebukes Civic Poll Officer Over Ballot Defacement in Chandigarh Mayor Elections

The Supreme Court strongly criticized the civic poll officer responsible for conducting the Chandigarh Mayor elections on Monday, stating that it is evident the Returning Officer has “defaced” the ballot papers.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud expressed strong disapproval, declaring, “Is this the way he conducts the elections? This is a mockery of democracy. This is a murder of democracy. We are appalled. This man should be prosecuted. Is this the behavior of the Returning Officer?”

The top Court additionally mandated the preservation of a comprehensive record of the election process, encompassing ballot papers, videography, and other materials, through the Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Supreme Court directed the deferral of the ensuing meeting of the Chandigarh Corporation until the next date of the hearing.

Kuldeep Kumar, who faced defeat in the Chandigarh mayoral election, has appealed to the apex court against the High Court’s refusal to grant an immediate stay on the election result, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate was declared the Mayor.

On January 30, the BJP’s Manoj Sonkar was declared the Mayor of Chandigarh after winning the mayoral polls with 16 votes, surpassing the 12 votes secured by Congress-AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar Tita. Eight votes were declared invalid.

The invalidation of eight votes in the Chandigarh Mayoral polls has prompted opposition leaders to raise allegations of rigging, with Congress and AAP targeting the BJP-led central government over the issue.