Bar associations where polls are due can conduct elections, clarifies BCI

Modifying its earlier resolution of not conducting any Bar elections throughout the country, the Bar Council of India on Monday allowed Bar associations where polls are due to go ahead with them.

The apex bar body said that those Bar associations where the issue of election is subjudice in courts may hold them as per the courts' orders.

The BCI, in its press release, said that the council's proposed rules for providing eligibility norms for candidates participating in elections of Bar Council and Bar Associations shall come into force from the date these were published.

It said that if Bar election in a Bar association anywhere in the country becomes due before publication of the notification of proposed eligibility rules of BCI, such Bar associations can also conduct election as per their own rules.

The BCI has also resolved to advise state bar councils to conduct elections to all District Court Bar Associations on the same day to "minimize unwarranted interference".

"Bar Council of India believes that holding election on the same day in all District Court Bar Associations of the State will bring about a salutary reform in the election process of different Bar Associations and minimize unwarranted interference of those who are neither members nor voters of the Bar Association where election is going to be held," it said.

"This advisory has become necessary upon observation that in elections of District Court Bar Associations, crowds of non-members and non-voters who do not regularly practice in that district court gather to influence the election, which sometimes lead to undeserving representations and unpleasant, untoward incidents," said the release.