Face2News/Abohar.
Punjab Government, through its counsel, has assured Punjab and Haryana High Court that the State shall convene the meeting, within a week, for electing Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of MC, Abohar.
The counsel submitted during the hearing of a petition before the double bench of justice Deepak Bali and Justice Rupinderjit Chahal that the government will ensure that the aforementioned elections are held in a fair manner, the entire meeting and the venue from outside, from all possible angles, shall be videographed. The videography shall include the process of voting by the members by raising of their hands; the CCTV/videographed material, along with copies of the written proceedings, of such meeting shall be preserved under the care and custody of Deputy Commissioner, Fazilka for a period of six months; adequate security, if so required, shall also be made available where the afore meeting/elections shall take place and ensure fairness in the conduct of the afore meeting.
The HC further held that the State shall remain bound by the statement made before the court and ensure that the measures stated before the court, are observed by the State.
Sandeep Goyal, Senior Advocate, has been appointed as an Observer, who shall be present during the course of the entire meeting to be convened for electing Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of MC, Abohar. The appointed Observer shall be at liberty to take photographs/video of the proceedings both inside and outside the venue. The report of the Observer with photographs/video, if any, shall be filed before this Court in a sealed cover to be kept in the safe custody of the Registrar (Judicial) of this Court for a period of six months.
The High Court directed the Commissioner Ferozepur to give at least 48 hours’ notice to the appointed Observer with regard to the date and time when the meeting shall be convened to elect Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of MC, Abohar. The Deputy Commissioner, Fazilka, has been directed to ensure that the appointed Observer securely reaches the venue of the meeting well in time and that the appointed Observer is also securely brought back to the office of the DC, Fazilka after the meeting concludes.
The petitioners were represented by P. S. Ahluwalia, Senior Advocate with Siddharth Sihag, Advocate. Jastej Singh, Addl. A. G., Punjab represented the state government. The petition was filed by Pooja Wadhwa and 27 other councillors of the BJP claiming majority in the 50-member corporation.
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