In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court of India has halted the elections for the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), which were initially set to fill nine crucial seats. This judicial intervention comes in the wake of the Maharashtra government’s controversial decision to replace the returning officer just hours before the commencement of voting, despite a clear directive from the Court to stay the election process.
Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra sharply criticized the state’s last-minute administrative shuffle, highlighting the pivotal role of the returning officer in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. The apex court’s rebuke stemmed from concerns over the state’s disregard for procedural norms and the potential compromise of election fairness.
The halted election, which began early Thursday across 150 polling booths throughout Maharashtra, was abruptly stopped around 11 am by the Supreme Court’s order. The legal battle reached the apex court following a petition by Dr. Sachin Pawar, a member of the MMC. Dr. Pawar challenged the credentials of the initial returning officer, Shilpa Parab, the registrar of the Maharashtra Dental Council, arguing that she did not meet the under-secretary rank required by MMC Rules, 2002.
Further complicating the matter, Dr. Pawar raised issues regarding the exclusion of approximately 70,000 doctors from the voters’ list, a point that was previously dismissed by the Bombay High Court on March 20. However, the Supreme Court’s decision to intervene underscores the significant disputes shadowing the electoral process within the MMC.
The case has spotlighted the necessity for strict adherence to legal standards and the importance of transparency in the governance of medical council elections. Proceedings are set to resume on April 7 at the Supreme Court, where further discussions are anticipated to determine the fate of these contentious elections.
