In a recent decision concerning the administration of upcoming Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) elections, the High Court declined to issue direct directions on polling-booth allocation, instead forwarding the matter to the Special Committee already constituted under Section 8A of the Advocates Act, 1961. The Bench noted at the outset that the Additional Solicitor General, who currently chairs the BCI-mandated Special Committee, had been unnecessarily impleaded as respondent No. 2, and subsequently ordered his deletion from party array.
The petition sought a mandate requiring polling arrangements for the 2026 BCD elections not only at the Delhi High Court but also across major district court complexes, Dwarka, Tis Hazari, Saket and Karkardooma, citing an anticipated voter base exceeding 1,05,000 advocates. The petitioner submitted that past elections restricted to High Court premises led to excessive congestion, long queues, traffic and security difficulties, which in turn hampered smooth voting by lawyers attending matters in multiple forums.
Referring to an earlier order of the Apex Court dated 18 November 2025 in W.P.(C) 1319/2023, the High Court noted that the apex court has already framed a uniform framework for State Bar Council elections, prescribing strict stages and timelines under Article 142 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court also clarified phased supervision of elections by specially constituted High-Powered Committees. For Delhi, however, a three-member Special Committee comprising senior legal professionals including an ASG and an eminent senior advocate is already entrusted with executing the electoral process in full.
The Court further recorded that any individual grievance relating to the conduct of elections is to be placed before the Election Committee supervising that State. Appeals, if any, lie only before the High-Powered Supervisory Committee, whose decisions have been declared final and insulated from challenge before civil courts or High Courts.
Given the authoritative framework, the Court refrained from issuing polling-location directions itself. Instead, it ordered that the petition be treated as a formal representation and be placed before the Special Committee for consideration. The Committee has been asked to decide the request expeditiously, preferably within three weeks.
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