Allahabad High Court bars 300 Oudh Bar Association members from voting

The Allahabad High Court barred 300 Oudh Bar Association members from voting. The order tightens certificate checks and mandates a digital verification system.Image used for representational purposes onlyLucknow,Oct 26, 2026 22:04 ISTThe Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Monday barred 300 members of the Oudh Bar Association from voting in its annual general elections scheduled for October 28, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The court said 155 advocates whose Certificates of Practice list a voting location other than the Oudh Bar Association in Lucknow and 145 lawyers whose certificates have not been renewed would not be allowed to vote. However, advocates who provide valid proof of renewal may be permitted to vote.A division bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla issued the order while hearing a public interest litigation, noting that only two days remained before polling.The Uttar Pradesh Bar Council told the court that 5,108 Oudh Bar Association members had been found eligible to vote, according to PTI. Of them, 155 had a different voting location recorded in their Certificates of Practice, while 145 had not renewed their certificates. The court directed that both groups be excluded from the election process. Citing the Bar Council of India's 2015 rules on the verification of Certificates of Practice and places of practice, the bench said advocates must have their certificates verified and renewed every five years. A valid and verified certificate is required to practise law and exercise voting rights.During the hearing, one of the parties alleged that around 400 people had already voted in the Lucknow Bar Association and Central Bar Association elections. The court said there was not enough time to examine the allegation and declined to decide the matter at this stage. To prevent election-related disputes in the future, the court directed the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council to develop an online system within six months. The system should allow an advocate's Certificate of Practice to be accessed by entering their name or enrolment number.The portal must also show the date and details of any changes made to a certificate. The Bar Council was directed to file an affidavit after six months confirming compliance with the order.The court further directed that advocates should be allowed to vote in future elections only after producing their original Certificates of Practice instead of certificate cards. This requirement will not apply to the ongoing 2026 elections unless the election officer decides to implement it.The high court administration was also directed to take necessary steps to prevent outsiders and ineligible people from entering the polling area on election day.In summary, 300 Oudh Bar Association members have been excluded from the October 28 election over issues concerning their voting location or certificate renewal, while the Bar Council has been ordered to create an online verification system to help prevent similar disputes.- Ends