SC declares new Chandigarh Mayor; cancels earlier result

CHANDIGARH: The Supreme Court of India declared Kuldeep Kumar, from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as the winner of the Chandigarh municipal corporation’s mayoral polls, cancelling the result of the last election which triggered controversy after Anil Masih, Returning Officer for Chandigarh mayoral polls, “invalidated” eight AAP votes.

Supreme Court’s declaration ended weeks of controversy after Anil Masih was caught on camera invalidating and discarding eight votes in his favour.

The Supreme Court bench, led by DY Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India, stated in its order, “The petitioner is declared to be the validly elected candidate for the post of Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.”

CJI Chandrachud further stated, “The eight votes which were treated as invalid by making those markings […] counting the eight votes for the petitioner will make him have 20 votes. We direct that the election result by the presiding officer is quashed. The AAP candidate is declared to be the winner of the Chandigarh mayoral polls.”