Mangaluru: A civil court in Mangaluru has determined that the election proceedings for the appointment of office-bearers in the Dakshina Kannada district branch of the State Government Employees’ Association were not conducted in accordance with regulations. The court found that the voters’ list was not prepared in adherence to the association’s bye-laws and has instructed the election officials to conduct the election of office-bearers in compliance with the stipulated rules.
S Niranjana Murthy, an official in the Ports department, lodged a case in the Principal Civil Court in Mangaluru against the district association and election officials. The allegations stated that the election proceedings for the office-bearer positions in the Dakshina Kannada District Government Employees Association were not carried out in a manner that was free, transparent, and fair.
On August 24, 2022, the court ruled that the election procedures were not adhered to, instructing the election authorities to conduct new elections. A challenge against the trial court’s decision was subsequently filed with the 2nd Additional Senior Civil Court in Mangaluru.
On November 17, the appellate court delivered its judgment, affirming the trial court’s decision that declared the election process invalid. The appellate court directed the election authorities to conduct a re-election.
