On February 19, the Supreme Court held the hearing for the Chandigarh Mayor election case where the Returning Officer Anil Masih was under heavy scrutiny by CJI Chandrachud. The question about the marking on the ballot papers just kept going on with CJI also stating that Masih should be prosecuted for his actions.
In response, Returning Officer Anil stated that he was signing the ballot paper rather than destroying it. In response, the CJI informed him that it was evident from the video that you were annotating the ballot paper. You don’t have the legal authority to do this, he criticised Anil and said he should be prosecuted.
Manoj Sonkar, the BJP candidate, won the election as a result of eight ballot papers that the returning officer is alleged to have tampered with. “Every ballot paper had marks on it. There were numerous cameras that I was just looking at them.” He also added that he marked ballots with an “X” to make sure they did not get mixed up.
“The voting papers are yours to sign. However, why were you writing “X” on those voting papers? “the bench asked, adding that the returning officer was only allowed to sign ballots by the rules. CJI Chandrachud stated, “It indicates you marked it.” The CJI stated that “this can’t be permitted in an electoral democracy” and therefore the returning officer must face legal action.
Supreme Court showed concerns about the horse-trading
The Supreme Court declared that it will review the ballots and the videotaped tallying on Tuesday. It has been requested that the returning officer appear in court.
After Masih ruled that eight votes cast by the AAP-Congress alliance were invalid, the Chandigarh mayoral elections became controversial and the BJP candidate won. The officer was charged by the opposition with manipulating the votes. Sonkar has stepped down, and three AAP council members have joined the BJP.
Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, comprised the top court bench. “We are deeply concerned about the horse-trading which is taking place,” they declared. “We’ll list this tomorrow, review the ballots, and make a decision. The horse-trading industry as a whole is extremely unsettling. Tomorrow at noon, let’s also show the full video of the vote counting,” the CJI stated.
On 18 February, Manoj Sonkar resigned from his post of Mayor, one day before the court hearing on the ballot defacing and alteration.
Actions backed by Godi Media
When the suspicion of Vote tampering was all over the internet. Godi media and it’s anchor were busy supporting and justifying the actions of Returning Officer Anil Masih.
Sushant Sinha, counted on live TV the number of marks Anil Masih put on ballot paper and yet the number came out to be 10 by Sushant. Whereas Anil Masih stated on the court room that he had marked 8 ballot papers.
Now people demands apology by the TV news anchor Sushant Sinha.