Chandigarh Mayor Election Saga: A Timeline of Controversy and Reversal

[Parveen Komal]

Chandigarh Mayor Election Saga: A Timeline of Controversy and Reversal


The Chandigarh mayoral election, held on January 30, 2024, has been a story of unexpected twists, accusations, and finally, a dramatic conclusion. Let's delve into the timeline of events that left everyone on edge:

January 18, 2024:

• Scheduled mayoral election postponed at the last minute due to the presiding officer, Anil Masih, claiming illness. This raised eyebrows, given the proximity to the polls.

January 20, 2024:

• UT administration proposes rescheduling the election to February 6th, creating further suspicion of maneuvering.

January 24, 2024:

• AAP candidate Kuldeep Tita challenges the postponement in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, leading to a rescheduled election date of January 30th.

January 30, 2024:

• Election day arrives, and despite initial smoothness, controversy erupts as Anil Masih declares eight votes from the AAP-Congress alliance invalid, swinging the victory in favor of BJP candidate Sarabjit Kaur Sonkar (16 votes to 12).

January 31, 2024:

• AAP and Congress allege tampering and misconduct by Masih, highlighting inconsistencies in his actions and raising questions about his neutrality.

February 1, 2024:

• Both parties approach the High Court, raising concerns about the invalidated votes and demanding re-election.

February 2, 2024:

• High Court reserves judgment, leaving the political climate charged with anticipation.

February 8, 2024:

• High Court upholds the election results, leaving AAP and Congress aggrieved and determined to seek further legal recourse.

February 13, 2024:

• Both parties appeal to the Supreme Court, claiming blatant manipulation and urging intervention.

February 16, 2024:

• Supreme Court takes up the case, expressing serious concerns over the conduct of the election and the invalidated votes.

February 19, 2024:

• After reviewing video evidence and scrutinizing ballot papers, the Supreme Court delivers a landmark verdict.

February 20, 2024:

• The apex court declares the earlier results "unlawful" and nullifies them. It finds Anil Masih guilty of misconduct and orders his prosecution.
• Notably, the Court does not order a re-election but instead, based on a meticulous examination of valid votes, declares AAP-Congress candidate Kuldeep Kumar the rightful winner.

February 21, 2024:

• Following the Supreme Court's verdict, Sarabjit Kaur Sonkar resigns as the mayor, paving the way for Kuldeep Kumar to take office.

This rollercoaster ride of a mayoral election underscores the importance of free and fair electoral processes and highlights the crucial role of the judiciary in safeguarding democracy. The Chandigarh saga serves as a reminder that vigilance, legal recourse, and the pursuit of truth can prevail even in the face of alleged manipulation.

Additional Notes:

• This timeline focuses on key events without going into intricate legal arguments or specific accusations against individuals.
• It's important to acknowledge that different parties have varying perspectives on the events, and ongoing investigations may reveal further details.

[Parveen Komal]

Chandigarh's mayoral election takes a dramatic turn! Timeline of voting controversy, court challenges, & shocking Supreme Court decision. Who won in the end?

Unrest rocks Chandigarh as mayoral election is challenged! Accusations fly, courts intervene, and a final verdict leaves everyone stunned. Witness the dramatic twists and turns that led to a surprising new mayor. Read the full story now!

https://www.votechandigarh.com/chandigarh-mayoral-election-a-saga-of-controversy-and-courtroom-drama/

[Parveen Komal]

Controversy erupted after the January 30th election, with accusations of election tampering and misconduct against presiding officer Anil Masih. He invalidated votes from the AAP-Congress Alliance, handing victory to Sarabjit Kaur Sonkar. Both parties cried foul, igniting a legal battle. The High Court upheld the results, but the Supreme Court Verdict reversed them, declaring Masih's actions unlawful. Using video evidence, the court declared AAP's Kuldeep Kumar the rightful winner. Sonkar's resignation marked the end of a saga that tested Indian politics, democracy, and the judiciary. This case highlights the importance of fairness and the pursuit of justice, even in the face of corruption. Investigations into Masih are ongoing.

[SwatiSood]

Here's a fictional timeline outlining a saga of controversy and reversal in the Chandigarh Mayor election:

July 1, 2023:

• The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation announces the schedule for the mayoral elections, to be held on August 15, 2023.

July 20, 2023:

• Several candidates from different political parties file their nominations for the mayoral post.

August 15, 2023:

• The election takes place, but amidst allegations of voter intimidation and tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs), chaos erupts at several polling booths.

August 16, 2023:

• Results are announced, declaring Candidate A from Party X as the winner by a slim margin.
• Opposition parties cry foul, alleging widespread irregularities and demanding a recount.

August 20, 2023:

• After a recount is conducted, it is revealed that Candidate B from Party Y actually won the election.

August 25, 2023:

• Candidate A files a petition in the High Court, challenging the recount results, citing discrepancies in the process.

September 10, 2023:

• The High Court orders a thorough investigation into the election process and the allegations of irregularities.

October 20, 2023:

• The investigation concludes, revealing significant evidence of EVM tampering and voter intimidation in favor of Candidate A.

November 5, 2023:

• The High Court nullifies the election results and orders a fresh election to be held within 30 days.

December 5, 2023:

• In the re-election, Candidate B emerges as the clear winner, with a significant margin, amidst heightened security measures and vigilant monitoring.

December 10, 2023:

• Candidate A accepts the results, conceding defeat, and pledges to support the new mayor for the betterment of Chandigarh.

January 1, 2024:

• The newly elected mayor, Candidate B, takes oath amidst hopes for a new era of transparency and accountability in Chandigarh's municipal governance.

March 12, 2024:

• The municipal corporation implements stringent measures to ensure the integrity of future elections, including enhanced security protocols for EVMs and increased monitoring at polling stations.