High Powered Election Committee Notifies Kerala Bar Council Elections For April 17

The High-Powered Election Committee (Phase V-C) has officially notified the election to the Bar Council of Kerala, with polling scheduled for April 17, 2026. The notification was published in the Extraordinary issue of the Kerala Gazette dated February 14, 2026.The election is being conducted pursuant to the Supreme Court's order dated November 18, 2025, in M. Varadhan vs. Union of India & Anr., (W.P. (Civil) No. 1319/2023) and its subsequent directions. The Bar Council of Kerala has a total strength of 25 members. Of these, 23 members will be elected, while two women members will be co-opted by the Bar Council of India (BCI).In line with the Supreme Court's interim directions in Yogamaya M.G. vs. Union of India & Ors., (W.P. (Civil) No. 581/2024), 30 per cent representation for women has been mandated in the Bar Council Elections, subject to the final outcome of the case. Accordingly, out of the 23 seats to be filled through election, five seats are earmarked for women candidates. The remaining two seats in the 30 per cent quota will be filled through co-option.The Bar Council of India, in communications dated December 23, 2025, and February 10, 2026, clarified that there will be a single common ballot paper for the election, with no separate ballot for women candidates.Polling will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at various booths across the State, which will be notified separately. Counting of votes will commence on April 18, 2026.The Supreme Court, by its order dated February 5, 2026, in Bar Council of India vs. Prahlad Sharma & Ors. (Transfer Petition (Civil) Nos. 3577-3590/2025), confirmed the non-refundable election fee of ₹1,25,000 for candidates contesting the election.Individual grievances regarding the election process may be addressed to the High-Powered Election Committee via email. Appeals against decisions of the Committee may be made to the High-Powered Election Supervisory Committee appointed by the Supreme Court.The Supervisory Committee comprises Justice Subhanshu Dhulia as Chairperson (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India), Justice Ravi Shanker Jha (Former Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court) and Senior Advocate V. Giri as members. As per the Supreme Court's directions, no Civil Court or High Court shall entertain petitions against decisions of the High-Powered Election Committee.Click Here To Read/ Download Notification

High Powered Election Committee Notifies Kerala Bar Council Elections For April 17

Anamika MJ

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