Bengaluru: In a significant ruling, the High Court has ordered that the votes of M.R. Seetharam and M.L. Anil Kumar, nominated members of the Vidhan Parishad, should be suspended without being counted in the upcoming elections for the Chikkaballapur Municipal Council President and Vice President. The elections are scheduled for Thursday, the 12th.
The decision was made by a single-member bench led by Justice Ashok S. Kinagi, following a writ petition filed by Chikkaballapur Municipal Council member D.S. Ananda Reddy. The petition raised concerns over the eligibility of nominated members to vote in municipal elections.
While the court allowed Seetharam and Anil Kumar to cast their votes in the election, it stated that those votes would not be counted until a final decision is reached on the petition. “This interim order is subject to the final decision on the writ petition,” the bench noted.
The court also adjourned the hearing and directed notices to be issued to the Central Election Commission, the Secretary of the State Urban Development Department, the Chikkaballapur Sub-Divisional Officer, the Chikkaballapur Municipal Commissioner, as well as the two nominated members.
The controversy stems from claims that Seetharam and Anil Kumar are not actual residents of Chikkaballapur, having registered to vote using the address of a rented house. The petitioner argued that their names were added to the electoral roll illegally by the sub-divisional officer, and as per Article 243 (R)(2)(A)(1) of the Constitution, they do not possess the right to vote in this election.
The case highlights ongoing debates regarding the voting rights of nominated members in local governance. High Court advocates S.N. Channabasappa and S. Honnappa represented the petitioners in this matter.