Himachal Pradesh High Court notice to Chief Secretary on plea challenging notification

Our Correspondent

Shimla, August 21

The HP High Court has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department and State Election Commission on a petition challenging the notification issued by state whereby there is a provision to show the votes cast by the councillors to their agents during the election for the posts of Mayor or Deputy Mayor of Municipal Corporations.

A Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Satyen Vaidya passed this order on the petition filed by Shailendra Gupta.

The petitioner contended that the government has amended the Himachal MC Act. Under this, during the election for the posts of Mayor or Deputy Mayor, a provision has been made to show the votes cast by the councillors to their agents. This amendment weakens the basic spirit of the law and is unconstitutional. While issuing notices the court directed the respondents to file their replies and listed the matter for further hearing on November 20.