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Questions Validity Of Thiruvananthapuram Mayoral Polls Over Faulty Oath Taking
The has initiated a critical review of the mayoral and deputy mayoral elections within the . A Division Bench, led by Justice K. Nataraj and Justice Johnson John, issued formal notices to the and 20 individual councillors following a that contests the legal integrity of the civic body’s leadership selection.
A Dispute Over Statutory Compliance
The controversy traces back to the 2025 local body elections, during which 20 newly elected councillors failed to adhere to the
prescribed under
. Instead of the required
or oath
"in the name of God,"
these representatives recited oaths invoking various deities, political figures, and symbolic entities.
While a Single Judge previously declared these oaths invalid and ordered the councillors to retake them—a process which has since been completed, including a unique event where a councillor took the oath while in —the current appeal challenges a specific legal carve-out. The Single Judge had invoked to protect the official acts of the councillors performed prior to their re-swearing.
Challenging the Shield of Protection
The appellant, represented by advocate , argues that the protection granted under Section 531 is being misapplied. The core contention is that someone who has not taken a valid oath remains legally incompetent to serve in any official capacity. According to the petitioner, if a councillor’s oath is invalid, that individual never acquired the necessary to participate in municipal proceedings, including the voting process for Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
If the Court finds that these 20 councillors were ineligible to vote during the mayoral election, the legal validity of the current municipal administration could be jeopardized. The appellant seeks to void the mayoral election in its entirety and invalidate any decisions made by the house while those councillors were operating under an legally insufficient oath.
The Crossroads of Municipal Governance
The High Court has acknowledged the gravity of the challenge, which questions the very foundation of the corporation's decision-making power. By issuing notices to all involved parties, the Division Bench has set the stage for a significant ruling on the scope of in local governance statutes.
The matter is set for further hearing on . For the , the outcome of this dispute will determine not only the stability of the current leadership but also the extent to which technical procedural errors can affect the of democratic outcomes at the grassroots level.
