Chandigarh Mayor Election Controversy: High Court Intervenes Amid Fraud Claims”

The recent election of Manoj Sonkar, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, as the Mayor of Chandigarh has been marred by controversy, with allegations of fraud and irregularities prompting legal challenges and scrutiny from the judiciary.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken cognizance of a plea challenging the election process of the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor, conducted by Sonkar. Sonkar’s own election as Mayor is also under scrutiny, with the Supreme Court seized of a petition seeking a stay on his victory.

The controversy erupted following the emergence of video footage depicting the vote count, leading the Supreme Court to remark that the situation amounted to “a murder of democracy.” Sonkar’s victory in the Mayor election on January 30 has triggered further scrutiny of subsequent elections held on the same day for the positions of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Allegations suggest that during the election process for the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor, 18 councillors, who were also eligible voters, walked out in protest, alleging irregularities. It is claimed that Sonkar proceeded to conduct the elections in their absence, raising questions about the legitimacy of the process.

A division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notices to various authorities, including the UT Chandigarh, Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, DGP, Presiding Officer, Mayor, and others, seeking their response to the allegations. The court has indicated it will consider the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Sonkar’s position before making further rulings.

The plea filed before the High Court seeks to annul the election of the Mayor, as well as the subsequent elections for the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor, alleging illegal and fraudulent conduct by Sonkar and other authorities involved in the process.

Two candidates contesting for the positions of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor have raised concerns about the election process, alleging pre-planned efforts to manipulate and derail the democratic process. They have accused the Presiding Officer and the elected Mayor of resorting to arbitrary and illegal acts, including tampering with ballot papers.

The petitioners have refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of Sonkar’s election and have challenged the conduct of further elections under his authority. They argue that their protest for fair and transparent elections was ignored, leading to their withdrawal from the process and subsequent elections being conducted in their absence.

Meanwhile, AAP councillor Kuldeep Kumar has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s decision to list his petition after three weeks without granting an immediate stay on the election results. Kumar alleges vote tampering in the Mayor Elections and seeks fresh elections under the supervision of a retired High Court Judge.

The controversy surrounding the Chandigarh Mayor election underscores the importance of upholding the integrity of democratic processes and ensuring transparency in electoral procedures. With legal battles underway and allegations of fraud mounting, the judiciary faces the task of adjudicating the matter fairly and safeguarding the democratic principles at stake.

The next chapter in this unfolding saga will be determined as the legal proceedings progress, with the matter currently scheduled for further deliberation on February 26.