No barricades, smashed EVMs: why poll official moved Delhi HC seeking adequate security for Shahdara Bar election

The bar association elections, in which lawyers across the city chose their representatives to the executive committees, were held in line with last month’s Delhi High Court order, which directed that it should be conducted on March 21, almost three months after it was originally scheduled.

While the elections were conducted relatively smoothly in five court complexes, two polls – in Saket and Karkardooma court complexes – were postponed due to alleged mismanagement. The Shahdara Bar Association election was held at the Karkardooma court premises.

In his petition, Nagar, who was represented by advocate K C Mittal, alleged that when he reached the court complex on the day of polling, he saw a large crowd of 5,000 people, including law college students, getting in through the entry gate.

Nagar also stated in his petition that eight proximity card scanners fixed at a distance of about ten feet from the gate were smashed and there was no barricading by the local police. Proximity cards are given for secure entry during the voting process.

“…a total mess was observed by the Applicant (Nagar) and it was learnt that a large number of students from the local college including law colleges have assembled over there and crowded the entire court premises in large number…some anti-social elements were also there inside the premises creating a total mess,” he alleged.

As per the petition, the 85-inch LED fixed for the display of the election process had also been damaged, along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and polling booths. He added that many eligible voters didn’t get proximity cards.

In his prayer, he sought that the “complete details of the proximity card issued by the Registrar General, Delhi High Court may be furnished so that the same can be examined at the time of casting the vote…”

A video of the court complex during election day was also submitted in court. “…the complete video recording has been preserved and the complete situation in the entire compound including the voting area can be ascertained from the video recording…,” said Nagar.