Court directs IGP to personally monitor counting of votes

Officiating Secy of Amar Singh Club submits resignation
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 30: 2nd Additional District Judge Jammu Virinder Singh Bhou has directed the IGP Jammu to personally monitor the counting of votes and declaration of results of the election of Amar Singh Club Jammu.
The direction has been passed in an appeal filed by Siddharth Malhotra and Others. The applicants who are Returning Officer and members of the Election Committee filed the application mentioning that during the voting held on March 28, 2021 certain candidates tried to disrupt the process.
After hearing the matter, the court said, “the facts mapped in the application lead to the conclusion that the voting process has been completed by the committee and the records/votes have been put in a safe room”, adding “the election committee members are feeling unsecured to declare the election result after the counting of votes because certain candidates are hell bent to impede the process”.
Accordingly, the court directed the IGP Jammu to personally monitor the counting of votes so that no disturbance is caused in completing the process and declaration of results. “The election committee shall start the process of counting votes fairly and in transparent manner on April 1, 2021 and conclude the same on same day”, the court further directed.
“In case any disturbance or impediment is caused by any member in the process of counting, police shall take action against such member under law”, the court said.
Meanwhile, Vijay Saraf, Officiating Secretary of Amar Singh Club has submitted his resignation to Vice-President of the Club (Divisional Commissioner Jammu).
“I am hurt with all that happened during the polling as well as counting process on March 28 and 29 and had never expected that there could be any swindle during the vote counting by the deputed people who were from the Club only”, he said in a resignation letter.
“Owing to these circumstances it will be very difficult for me to continue as the Officiating Secretary of the Club as such I am submitting my resignation”, Saraf said with the request to the Divisional Commissioner to accept the same and make some alternate arrangements.