Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa Announces Long-Awaited Elections
After nearly two years of administrative delay, the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa has officially announced its upcoming elections, bringing renewed activity to the legal community across the region. The much-anticipated voting process is now scheduled to take place on March 24, marking a significant development for advocates practicing within the council's jurisdiction.
Election Timeline and Key Dates
The council, which oversees legal practice in Maharashtra, Goa, and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, has released a comprehensive election schedule. According to the notified timeline:
- Work on the provisional electoral roll will commence on February 5, open to all advocates registered with the courts
- The final electoral roll will be officially released on February 19
- The nomination filing process will begin on February 26
- A finalized list of candidates will be published by March 4
- Polling will occur on March 24 at designated court premises
- Vote counting will begin seven days after the polling date
Council Structure and Previous Leadership
The Bar Council conducts elections once every five years as per its constitutional mandate. The previous election was successfully held in 2018, with the council's official term concluding in 2023. The 25-member governing body previously saw Pune-based advocate Harshad Nimbalkar serving as chairman, while Uday Warunjikar held the position of vice-chairman. Office bearers are traditionally elected from within this governing body through democratic processes.
Election Committee and Procedural Details
A high-powered election committee, constituted under specific directives from the Supreme Court of India, has been formally tasked with conducting the entire election process. The committee has established several important procedural requirements:
- The nomination fee has been set at Rs 1.25 lakh, which is designated as non-refundable
- Separate ballot papers will be issued for general-category advocates and women advocates
- 30% of seats are constitutionally reserved for women candidates
- The election guidelines include stringent measures specifically designed to curb corrupt practices and prevent undue influence during the electoral process
Council Responsibilities and Functions
The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa performs several crucial statutory functions within its jurisdiction, including:
- Enrolling qualified advocates to practice law
- Issuing Sanads (official licences to practice law)
- Handling disciplinary proceedings against legal professionals
- Performing various other regulatory and administrative functions as mandated by law
The announcement of these elections represents a significant step forward for the legal community in the region, ensuring proper governance and representation for thousands of practicing advocates. The electoral process aims to maintain transparency and democratic principles within the legal profession's regulatory framework.
