In a significant move to uphold democratic processes within legal circles, the Madras High Court has ordered the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (BCTNP) to conduct timely elections for the Women Lawyers Association (WLA). The directive was issued by a Division Bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and C. Kumarappan on Tuesday.
The court has instructed the current office-bearers of the WLA to transfer all pertinent details, including a comprehensive membership list and administrative records, to the BCTNP secretary within the next two weeks. This transfer is crucial for creating an updated electoral roll and organizing the electoral process as mandated by the association’s bylaws.
The BCTNP has been tasked with appointing an election officer and the necessary support staff to ensure the elections are conducted before September 30 this year. This decision comes in the wake of concerns about previous delays and administrative hurdles that have marred the association’s electoral processes.
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Furthermore, the court has stipulated that the newly elected office-bearers must prioritize holding subsequent elections on schedule to prevent any future grievances about delays. In a scenario where the elections are not held as per the stipulated timelines, the BCTNP has the authority to appoint a special officer. This officer, who must be a woman, will be responsible for conducting the elections within four months of her appointment.
Additionally, the High Court emphasized the need for strict adherence to the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, in conducting these elections.
