HC says not inclined to interfere in SEC circular on GHMC polls

The Telangana High Court on Monday expressed its disinclination in interfering with the circular issued by Telangana State Election Commission (SEC) with regard to elections held for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) council, whose overall results have already been announced.

Justice A. Abhishek Reddy of Telangana High Court made it clear that SEC has the power to issue necessary directions for smooth conduct of elections in a fair and impartial manner. He, however, modified the court’s interim order dated December 4 and directed the State Election Commission to go ahead with counting of votes in ward No. 136 — Neredmet.

However, the court acknowledged that SEC’s circular had led to confusion on which distinguished marks could be entertained while votes are being stamped.

Had there been clarity, there would have been no apprehensions about usage of distinguished marks, the court observed.

In his modified order on Monday, Justice Abhishek Reddy directed the Returning Officer of Neredmet ward to take a call on declaring votes valid or invalid as per the procedure contemplated in Rule 51 (2) of the Telangana Municipal Corporation Rules.

However, he clarified that if the petitioner is aggrieved by this modified interim order, he is not precluded from approaching the Election Tribunal.

● IN HIS modified order on Monday, Justice Abhishek Reddy directed the Returning Officer of Neredmet ward to take a call on declaring votes valid or invalid as per the procedure contemplated in Rule 51 (2) of the Telangana Municipal Corporation Rules.