EC must ensure free, fair civic bypolls: Madras High Court
Court asked for necessary arrangements to be made for conduct of fair and transparent local byelections
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-09-17 04:38 GMT
Chennai: The Madras high court has re-emphasised that the circular dated September 12 issued by the State Election Commission to ensure free and fair election must be observed in its letter and spirit and necessary arrangements to be made for conduct of fair and transparent local byelections.
Disposing of a petition by the state BJP, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M. Sathyanarayanan said the petitioner can nominate a senior office bearer of the party for the purpose of personal hearing and if poll complaints were found to be genuine, the state election commission would take necessary corrective action.
Senior counsel P.S. Raman appearing for the petitioner had contended that there was rampant malpractice at the stage of filing of nominations for the local body byelections, and it must be seriously considered by the SEC.
On the other hand, senior counsel A.L. Somayaji, appearing for the state election panel, contended that necessary steps have been taken and officers appointed to look into specific grievances.