
In A First, Chief Justice Cross-Examines Poll Officer In Vote-Count Row
NDTV
The court not only expressed concern over the alleged defacement but also termed the ongoing political maneuvering as "horse-trading," emphasizing its seriousness.
In a stern response to the alleged defacement of ballot papers during the Chandigarh mayoral election, the Supreme Court has directed the prosecution of the returning officer, Anil Masih. The court conducted a hearing on Monday, following a petition highlighting alleged irregularities in the election, particularly after three AAP councillors switched allegiance to the BJP.
The election, held on January 30, saw the BJP's Manoj Sonkar securing victory against AAP's Kuldeep Kumar. However, controversy arose as 8 votes were declared invalid, prompting intense scrutiny and accusations from the opposition.
A video depicting the Presiding Officer, Anil Masih, who is a member of the BJP's Minority Cell, seemingly marking on the ballot papers of AAP councillors, circulated widely on social media. This drew sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party and its allies, who argued that Masih deliberately invalidated their votes, potentially influencing the election results in favor of the BJP.