Advocate Urges Inclusion of NOTA in upcoming Bar Association Elections

Chandigarh, February 26, 2025 – In anticipation of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association (PHHCBA) elections scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2025, Advocate Hemant Kumar has formally requested the inclusion of a “None of the Above” (NOTA) option on all ballots. This appeal, directed to Kuljeet Singh Sidhu, Chairman of the Election Committee, and Dr. Vijender Singh Ahlawat, current Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana (BCPH), emphasized the importance of upholding voters’ rights to express dissent.

Advocate Kumar, a member of PHHCBA, cited the 2013 Supreme Court judgment in People’s Union for Civil Liberties vs. Union of India, which mandated the provision of a NOTA option in elections to empower voters who do not support any candidate. He argued that extending this option to Bar Association elections would enhance democratic principles within the legal community.

Currently, voters dissatisfied with all candidates can abstain from voting or submit invalid ballots. However, Advocate Kumar contended that an explicit NOTA option would allow members to actively participate in the electoral process while clearly expressing their preference for none of the candidates.

The PHHCBA and BCPH have yet to respond to this proposal. The upcoming elections will proceed as planned, with legal professionals across Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana casting their votes.