The election process for the Ahmedabad Family Court Bar Association has been abruptly postponed. This decision follows a formal challenge by the association's former president against a key reservation policy for women candidates.
Former President Challenges Election Commissioner's Decision
I M Khokhar, the ex-president, lodged a complaint with the Bar Council of Gujarat (BCG). His grievance centers on the election commissioner's ruling to reserve specific posts for women. Khokhar argues that while reserving the positions of treasurer and two executive council members for women aligns with a Supreme Court judgment, the same cannot be said for the president's post.
He contends that reserving the top post for women is not in accordance with the SC order or the Bar Council's own rules. A central point of his query is whether this reservation for the presidency is intended to be a permanent fixture or merely a one-time measure for the upcoming elections.
Immediate Fallout and Election Postponement
In light of this appeal, Khokhar requested the BCG to halt the election process until his query receives a proper resolution. The Bar Council of Gujarat has instructed all bar associations across the state to conduct their elections on December 19.
Acting on the development, the election commissioner for the Ahmedabad Family Court Bar Association promptly issued a notice. It was pasted at the court premises, declaring the deferment of the election schedule. Specifically, the distribution of nomination forms to candidates, originally set for December 1, has been put on hold. This pause will remain until the Bar Council of Gujarat disposes of Khokhar's appeal.
Uncertainty Looms Over Election Timeline
The sudden deferral has created uncertainty around the association's electoral calendar. All proceedings are now contingent on the Bar Council's review and decision regarding the legality of the reservation for the president's post. The legal community in Ahmedabad awaits clarity on whether the reservation policy will be upheld, modified, or struck down for the presidential role.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate and implementation challenges surrounding reservation policies within professional legal bodies across India. The outcome will set a significant precedent for how bar associations interpret and apply directives for women's representation in leadership positions.
