Women Win Majority Posts in Bar Association Elections of Delhi

In this year’s Bar Association elections held on 21st March in Delhi, a record 17 Women representatives emerged as winners to make up 28% of the total 61 winners from across five court complexes: Patiala House, Rouse Avenue, Tis Hazari, Rohini and Dwarka. 

There is a clear jump from last year’s elections, where seven women candidates won elections to make up 16% of the total 43 winners. However, these numbers excluded Rouse Avenue Court, where elections are being held for the first time. Elections were postponed in the Saket and Kakarduma Court complexes as well due to alleged mismanagement. Polling is likely to happen thereafter the Delhi High Court’s directions.

After the conclusion of the elections for the new Delhi Bar Association, a petition was filed in the Delhi High Court challenging these polls. Addressing the same, the High Court on 25th March stated that the court elections would be subject to the outcome of this petition.

Women Count Less In Top Posts

A total of 359 candidates contested this year’s bar elections for the posts of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and member executive across five court complexes within Delhi. One-fourth of the contesting candidates, that is 86 contestants, were women. However, women candidates could only secure reserve posts of treasurer, lady member executive, senior member executive (Women) and member executive (Women).

The number of female representatives usually reduces as one moves up the judicial hierarchy. While the number of women judges in lower courts is up to 44%, women’s representation is only 24% in the Delhi High Court and subsequently is 6% in the Supreme Court.