Mon Jan 27 09:41:23 UTC 2025: **Supreme Court to Oversee Chandigarh Mayoral Election**
**New Delhi, January 27, 2025** – The Supreme Court of India will appoint an independent observer to monitor the upcoming Chandigarh mayoral election on January 30th, ensuring fairness and transparency. The decision, announced Monday, follows a plea filed by incumbent mayor Kuldeep Kumar (AAP) who requested a show of hands voting process. While the court rejected this request, upholding the High Court’s decision on a secret ballot, it emphasized the need for an independent observer to oversee the entire election process, which will be videographed. The Chandigarh administration will cover the observer’s honorarium. Although suggestions for a retired High Court judge were made, the court did not name the observer immediately, stating the appointment would be announced later. The Solicitor General expressed concern that this action not set a precedent for all municipal corporations seeking Supreme Court intervention.
First Piper 