The Delhi High Court on Thursday postponed to May 25 the Shahdara Bar Association elections, earlier scheduled to be held on May 9.

The order was passed by a Bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh, Navin Chawla and C Hari Shankar.

The Court was hearing a case in which it has been monitoring the elections to various bar associations in Delhi. Earlier this week, it had directed the Delhi Police to deploy security in the Karkardooma Court for the Shahdara Bar Association elections. The Court directed the police to take strict action against any group of individuals, lawyers or non-lawyers who may cause disturbance or obstruction to the smooth conduct of the elections.

The elections to all bar associations in Delhi except the Saket and Shahdara associations concluded on March 21. Retired Justice Talwant Singh, the Chairperson of the Shahdara Bar Association Election Committee, had recently highlighted the lack of security at the court complex.

Considering the apprehensions expressed by Justice Singh, the Court had during the previous hearing directed Delhi Police to inform it about providing adequate security for the fair and peaceful conduct of the elections to the Shahdara Bar Association.

On the last date of hearing, the Court also recorded the submission by the candidates that they are willing to cover the cost of using EVMs. On a request by the candidates, the Court further directed that only one authorised representative of the contesting candidate shall be allowed in the court during the vote count. Any voters standing in support of the candidate shall remain outside the court premises, it said.