Bar election process to continue till Oct 15: BCI

The Bar Council of India, in a review petition filed by chairman Bar Council of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Lekh Raj Sharma, has allowed continuing of election procedure as usual till October 15.

Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function here on Saturday, Sharma said that making amendments in its stay orders, the Bar Council of India stated that election procedure will continue as usual and objections can be received even after September 9.

He added that the former chairman, Bar Council of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, Pratap Singh, honorary secretary Amrik Singh Kalra, former honorary secretary Harpreet Singh Brar and former chairman Chander Mohan Munjal had filed the review petition appealing vacating the stay imposed on elections on the basis of electoral lists, which have already been prepared.

He added that the Bar Council of India made it clear that it does not intend to change the returning officer (RO). "While issuing notice of motion in the review petition, it has directed all 25 elected members, RO M C Berry and secretary (Bar Council) to appear on date of hearing for final disposal of review petition. Next decision would be taken only after this hearing. It also made clear that since election has been notified, therefore urgent decision on review petition would be taken," he said.

Lekhraj added that in the review petition he had stated that election proceedings were on in full swing and more than half of election work has already been done. More than 58,000 advocates are enrolled as voters in the preliminary electoral roll and around 200 candidates have spent their time and money on campaigning.

He added that Punjab Bar is in position to conduct elections and there is no request to extend the term. The term of stay can be extended only if the State Bar Council fails to conduct elections within five years.

... contd.

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