Delhi HC rejects petitions seeking re-polling of Delhi Bar Council elections
New Delhi, June 7
The Delhi High Court on Saturday rejected four petitions seeking re-polling for the Bar Council of Delhi elections, which were held on February 21, 22, and 23.
The petitioner sought a direction for re-polling or annulment of the BCD election. This demand was earlier rejected by the High Power Election Supervisory Committee.
However, while rejecting the petitions, the Delhi High Court issued various directions.
Division bench of Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Tejas Karia dismissed all the petitions, saying, "We find no merit in any prayer sought in petitions and we reiterate the directions in the impugned order with the additional directions to alleviate any apprehension in the mind of anyone and to ensure the transparency, purity, and sanctity of the BCD Election process.
The High Court directed that the counting of votes for the BCD Election shall recommence from the stage at which it had stopped, pursuant to the interim order passed by the Supreme Court on 18.05.2026.
Secondly, the High Court said that before the counting recommences, all ballot papers presently kept in open baskets, whether in cloth bags or otherwise, shall be transferred to lockable boxes or bags. Such boxes or bags shall remain locked during every break and at the close of each counting day.
The High Court directed that a high-resolution camera shall be placed above the top of the counting table to ensure that each ballot paper is captured in full and with clarity.
The entire counting process shall be continuously videographed without interruption and live-streamed in real time to all contesting candidates and their authorised representatives at the display provided on the 6th Floor of S-Block, High Court of Delhi and through YouTube and the High Loop App, as previously, the court said.
The Election Committee and Returning Officer shall examine the CCTV camera system installed on the 7th Floor of S-Block, High Court of Delhi, to ensure that all cameras shall continuously capture all counting tables and all persons stationed thereat and shall be positioned so that no material stage of handling, scrutiny, or movement of ballot papers falls outside their field of view, the high court said.
It is also directed that the Election Committee and Returning Officer shall examine the CCTV camera system installed on the 7th Floor of S-Block, High Court of Delhi, to ensure that all cameras shall continuously capture all counting tables and all persons stationed thereat and shall be positioned so that no material stage of handling, scrutiny, or movement of ballot papers falls outside their field of view.
The High Court also directed that the returning officer shall ensure that no counting staff for the next stage of counting is engaged through Prabodh Kumar. The entire counting staff shall be engaged only after proper verification, issuance of photo-identity cards, and submission of an undertaking confirming that no conflict of interest exists with any contesting candidate.
Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh, who contested the BCD election and other candidates had approached the High Court for a direction for re-polling or annulment of the BCD election.
The High Court directed that the counting shall recommence as soon as the CCTV and Hi-resolution cameras, lockable boxes, and counting staff are in place and shall be endeavored to be completed expeditiously.
The returning officer shall notify the date and time of recommencement of counting at least 24 hours in advance.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the court's detailed directions - from lockable boxes to CCTV coverage. But why did it take a Supreme Court interim order to restart counting? The Bar Council elections always have these controversies. Need a more robust system from the start.
As an outsider following Indian legal developments, this seems like a fair compromise. The court isn't dismissing genuine concerns but ensuring due process. Live streaming on YouTube is particularly innovative - total transparency for all stakeholders.
This is a classic case of judicial overreach in my view. The High Power Election Supervisory Committee already rejected the re-poll demand. Now the court is micromanaging counting procedures. Let the Bar Council manage its own elections - they are professionals after all.
The condition that counting staff must submit conflict-of-interest undertakings is smart. Many lawyers have personal rivalries or friendships with candidates. Also barring Prabodh Kumar from engaging staff is telling - someone must have raised serious concerns about him. Good riddance! 🎯
Impressed with the court's thoroughness - directing high-res cameras, lockable boxes, and photoid cards for counting staff. This is how elections should be run everywhere. Hope this becomes a template for other Bar Council elections across India.
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