(Ranchi/New Delhi): BCI Issues Strict Directives, 'High Powered Election Committee' to Oversee Entire Process.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has introduced a major change for State Bar Council elections across the country, making 30% representation for women mandatory in the total seats. This historic decision complies with recent Supreme Court directives and is immediately applicable to all State Bar Councils, including Jharkhand.
🚺 How the 30% Quota Will Be Implemented
As per the official LETTER BCI 9365 OF 2025 issued by the BCI:
* 20% of the seats will be filled through direct elections.
* 10% of the seats will be filled through Co-option (nomination).
If enough women candidates are not available through elections, the remaining seats will also be filled via co-option to ensure the minimum 30% representation. For instance, a 25-member Council will now reserve 7 seats for women.
⚖️ No Civil/High Court Jurisdiction
The BCI has also standardized the entire election management:
* The entire election process—nominations, voting, counting, and results—will be under the direct control and supervision of the High Powered Election Committee.
* The BCI explicitly stated that the High Powered Election Committee will be the sole and binding forum for any individual complaint or dispute related to the elections.
* Writ petitions or plaints will not be accepted by Civil Courts or High Courts in such matters.
* Any person dissatisfied with the Committee's decision may only approach the High Powered Election Supervisory Committee.
This directive, which also includes a working formula for calculating reserved seats (e.g., 6 seats in a 20-member Council, 4 seats in a 15-member Council), has been conveyed to the Jharkhand State Bar Council for strict compliance in the upcoming elections.
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