Supreme Court Acts Against Election Fraud in Chandigarh

Contrast Between Why We Cast Votes and Motives Behind Election Rigging

Newsreel Asia Insight #138
Feb. 21, 2024

The Supreme Court of India has corrected a deliberate manipulation of the democratic process in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation mayoral election. By declaring the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Kuldeep Kumar as the rightful Mayor, the apex court protected the sanctity of each vote and the imperative of upholding electoral integrity, amid a clash between the principles of democratic fairness and the machinations aimed at subverting them.

The controversy centred around Kuldeep Kumar, the AAP councillor, his opponent from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Manoj Kumar Sonkar, and the presiding officer, Anil Masih. Masih, a nominated councillor, was found to have deliberately defaced eight ballots cast in favour of Kuldeep Kumar, an act that initially led to Sonkar’s wrongful declaration as the winner.

For Kuldeep Kumar and the AAP, the fight was for the rightful recognition of electoral victory and the integrity of the democratic process. On the other hand, the actions of Masih, presumably in favour of the BJP, reflect an interest in securing political power, even at the cost of democratic principles.

It’s like winning a marathon by taking a shortcut. In a marathon, the essence of the competition lies not just in crossing the finish line but in adhering to the designated path, which represents fairness, endurance and the spirit of the sport. Every runner agrees to this path before the race begins, understanding that victory is meaningful only if achieved through the shared challenges of the course. When a participant takes a shortcut, they may cross the finish line first, but their victory is hollow.

Thankfully, the Supreme Court ensured that the true will of the voters was honoured.

A stark contrast emerges between the reasons people cast their votes and the underlying motives behind the attempted election rigging. For ordinary citizens, elections are not about narrow political agendas. They are about selecting a representative committed to enhancing the area’s living conditions.

The corporation is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation across the city. This includes waste collection and disposal, street cleaning and sewage treatment. By managing these services efficiently, the corporation helps prevent disease, promotes public health and ensures a cleaner living environment for all residents. It also ensures a reliable supply of clean drinking water, by managing water treatment plants and distribution networks.

The development and maintenance of public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public buildings also fall under the purview of the municipal corporation. The corporation also plays a key role in urban planning, including zoning, land use planning and the regulation of building activities. Further, managing public parks, gardens and recreational facilities is another area under the municipal corporation. Further, the corporation is involved in ensuring public safety through various measures, including street lighting, traffic management and sometimes, coordination with police and emergency services. It may also be involved in disaster management and preparedness, crucial for the residents’ safety during emergencies.

The desperation to win at any cost reveals that the candidate is not running to serve; such a candidate is likely to be inefficient, potentially harming voters through neglect of duty and misuse of power.

While the incident exposes the vulnerabilities within the electoral process, highlighting how susceptible it can be to manipulation, it also reminds citizens that their voice is significant and protectable. It underlines the critical role of an independent judiciary in correcting electoral malpractices and ensuring that the democratic process is not derailed by those seeking to manipulate it for their gain. It is hoped that the Supreme Court’s intervention serves as a deterrent against future attempts to subvert the electoral process.