CHANDIGARH: The Supreme Court on Monday said that the results of the controversial January 30 Chandigarh mayoral election will be declared on the basis of the existing ballot papers instead of a fresh election. For this, the court said, it would peruse on Tuesday the ballot papers and the entire video recording of the counting day.
This came after a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud questioned the presiding officer Anil Masih, as to why he put “X” marks on eight ballot papers. Anil Masih has admitted he marked the balot papers to declare them invalid. The Chief Justice said Masih shall be prosecuted. He was told to remain present in court tomorrow.
The court also directed the registrar general of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to depute a judicial officer to bring the records safely to Delhi. The votes will be counted by disregarding the ‘X’ marks. The court stated that it will ask the Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh to nominate a neutral officer to be the returning officer to count the ballots and declare the results, Live Law reported.
“We ourselves will look at the records at 2 pm, ” the bench, also comprising justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.
The Supreme court has taken cognizance of horse trading of councillors in Chandigarh. It is recalled that BJP;s Mayor Manoj Sonakar had resigned yesterday and three AAP councillor had joined BJP so that BJP could elect its Mayor if SC orders fresh election.