30 yrs practice to run for President, 25 yrs for VP
Jattan Singh Gill
Jammu Tawi, Mar 18: The J&K High Court Bar Association Elections scheduled for April 24, 2021 witnessed a new turn in its history of such polls, fixing eligibility of length in practice for contesting top slots of the Association.
The Returning Officer of J&K High Court Bar Association Elections on Thursday revealed that length of law practice would be the new eligibility criterion for contesting JK High Court Bar Elections. In a statement, he said that a new ‘period of law practice' criterion has been set after making relevant amendments in the constitution during the last general house meeting.
The new criterion, he said, demands at least 30 years practice to run for the post of President of the Jammu High Court Bar Association Elections, 25 years for the post of Vice President, 20 years for the post of General Secretary, 10 years for the post of Joint Secretary, 5 years for the post of Cashier.
This development has sent many advocates in a tizzy who were all prepped up for contesting the polls since the overdue polls were deferred indefinitely last year for the reasons of COVID-19.
This is the first time such criterion has been introduced in the Jammu Kashmir Bar elections profile. While some are viewing it as a safe step, the amendment has drawn flak from many senior and young advocates.
A lawyer on condition of anonymity said that it is unjust and undemocratic. We tried to contact the returning officer, JKHCBA Elections, but to no avail.
The date of issuance of Election Notification has been set on 01-04-2021, the last date of filling the application form for 10-04-2021, date of withdrawal of the nomination for 15-04-2021, and the date of the election has set for 24-04-2021.
The quorum for holding the election will be subject to at least 50% strength or 1500 bar members should have deposited their subscription fee by or before the date of nomination withdrawal, failing which the Election process would be deferred and a decision would be taken accordingly.
The voters' list will be prepared as per the decision taken by the Special General House and will be restricted to the eligible voters as per the decision of the Special General House Meeting dated 12-01-2021.
