Anil Masih Admitted Defacing 8 Ballots: Punjab Advocate General

BY A STAFF REPORTER: In a recent statement, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh on Monday revealed that Returning Officer Anil Masih admitted to defacing eight ballot papers during the Chandigarh Mayor elections.

Singh mentioned that the court has recorded the statement of Masih where admitted to the defacing allegations. Moreover, the court has asked for the whole record to be produced in safe custody before SC at 2:00 PM on 20th February. 

Singh also revealed that the other side has demanded fresh elections as the mayor has resigned. The court favored the demand and emphasized that elections shall resume from the stage where the offense was committed. 

#WATCH | On Chandigarh mayoral elections, Punjab advocate General Gurminder Singh says," The court has recorded the statement of the presiding officer in which he has admitted that he has defaced 8 ballot papers. Further, the court has said that the entire record be produced in… pic.twitter.com/8GbrHGBifc

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024

A day ahead of the hearing, Manoj Sonkar resigned from the Mayor's post on 18th February. The Chandigarh Mayor Election results were announced on 30th January where BJP's Manoj Sonkar with 15 votes defeated AAP's Kuldeep Kumar, who secured 12 votes. Shortly after BJP's victory in the Chandigarh Mayor elections, a clash broke out as Congress and AAP councilors accused Manoj Sonkar of winning through illegal means on Tuesday 30th January.