Uttarakhand HC Orders Vote Counting for Kichha, Sirauli Kalan Municipal Polls Within Three Weeks
The Uttarakhand High Court has directed authorities to count votes for the September 22 municipal elections in Kichha and Sirauli Kalan within three weeks, after the state government sought a delay citing law and order concerns.
Current Summary
According to a September 30 Hindustan Times report, the Uttarakhand High Court directed authorities to conduct counting of votes for municipal elections held in Kichha and Sirauli Kalan, Udham Singh Nagar district, within three weeks. A division bench of Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay heard petitions challenging orders of the State Election Commission and state government deferring the counting process. Polling took place on September 22, but counting was deferred after the state government, citing law and order concerns following disturbances at polling booths on polling day, sought two more weeks to conduct counting, telling the court that ballot papers had been sealed in ballot boxes and that adequate arrangements were needed for peaceful counting. The court had earlier stayed the State Election Commission's deferment order and directed the process to begin, noting the elections had already been conducted with no apparent reason to halt counting. The case was initiated by Kichha resident Alina Malik, who sought directions for counting of votes. An earlier single-judge bench hearing had listed the matter for October 5.
What We Know
- Polling for Kichha and Sirauli Kalan municipal bodies was held on September 22.
- The state government sought a two-week delay in counting, citing law and order disturbances at polling booths.
- The Uttarakhand High Court has directed counting to be completed within three weeks.
- The case was brought by Kichha resident Alina Malik challenging the deferment orders.
What Is Still Unclear
- The exact date within the three-week window when counting will occur.
- The specific nature and extent of the law and order disturbances cited by the state government.
What Changed
- 30 Sept, 12:11 pmSignal detected: Uttarakhand HC Orders Vote Counting for Kichha, Sirauli Kalan Municipal Polls Within Three Weeks
Background
Polling for Kichha and Sirauli Kalan municipal bodies was held on September 22, alongside disturbances at some polling booths that prompted the state government's request for a delay in counting.