The Supreme Court expressed concerns about possible “horse-trading” and the BJP‘s disputed triumph, so on Tuesday, February 20, it will examine the voting papers and the video recording of the counting.
This is in response to the hearing on Monday, when the Supreme Court severely criticized Returning Officer Anil Masih and declared that he ought to face legal action for “defacing ballot papers”. Additionally, it mandated Masih’s attendance in court on Tuesday.
The AAP-Congress alliance candidate was easily defeated by the BJP in the Chandigarh mayoral election on January 30 after the returning officer’s declaration of eight coalition partner votes as invalid, which sparked charges of ballot fraud.
Manoj Sonkar of the BJP beat Kuldeep Kumar of the AAP by receiving 16 votes to his opponent’s 12 in order to win the mayorship. However, Sonkar later resigned, and three AAP council members joined the BJP.
AAP councillor Kuldeep Kumar filed a case in the Supreme Court against the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s denial of an interim suspension of the election results, citing fraud and collusion.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud expressed dissatisfaction with the manner the Chandigarh mayoral election was handled yesterday while considering Kumar’s appeal.
Also read: Why Supreme Court Quashed Electoral Bonds Scheme: Key Points To Understand
