Jaiswal Re-elected as DBA President for Second Term, Gulhane Elected Secretary Nagpur: In a closely contested election that highlighted shifting dynamics within the legal community, Prakash Jaiswal secured his second term as president of the District Bar Association (DBA), defeating former secretary Nitin Deshmukh by a narrow margin of 74 votes. Anil Gulhane emerged as the new secretary, winning with a commanding lead. Jaiswal’s victory marked a historic milestone for the DBA, as he became the first individual to hold the presidency twice in the association’s history. The election results reflected strong support for Jaiswal, who garnered 1,218 votes compared to Deshmukh’s 1,144. Other candidates, including Manoj Sable with 324 votes, trailed significantly. In the secretary race, Gulhane secured 1,091 votes, far surpassing his closest rival, Amit Band, who received 684. The margin of victory for Gulhane was 407 votes, underscoring his dominance in the contest. Jaiswal’s return to the presidency followed a previous tenure in 2015 and a defeat in the 2023 election. Overcoming that setback, he mounted a vigorous campaign, which many described as high-intensity. Moments after the results were announced, Jaiswal broke down emotionally, overwhelmed by the outcome. Speaking to reporters, he emphasized his commitment to addressing the concerns of legal professionals. “Lawyers have elected me to raise their voice,” he said. “I will ensure seating facilities for young practitioners, work towards better amenities for women, and fulfill all promises made to the members.” Gulhane, who won the secretary post by a significant margin, pledged to deliver on the expectations of the bar association.#district_bar_association #nitin_deshmukh #prakash_jaiswal #anil_gulhane #vilas_raut
High turnout, but ballot shortage allegations cast shadow over DBA polls The District Bar Association (DBA) elections in Nagpur on Friday saw a high voter turnout, but concerns over mismanagement, including a reported shortage of ballot papers, raised questions about the electoral process. With 84% of eligible voters casting their ballots for 17 positions, the participation rate marked a slight increase from the previous election’s 82.31%. Out of a total electorate of 3,390 lawyers, 2,848 exercised their right to vote in a largely peaceful process that spanned from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The election covered key roles such as president, secretary, two vice-presidents, two joint secretaries (one reserved for women), a librarian, a treasurer, and nine executive committee members, comprising six men and three women. Despite the high turnout, allegations of logistical shortcomings emerged. Lawyers claimed the poll panel had printed only around 2,800 ballot papers, far below the number of voters. “Midway, there was chaos for some time. The poll panel then hurriedly printed additional papers that saved the day. However, the papers were like pamphlets and lacked serial numbers, which is mandatory,” a senior lawyer said, requesting anonymity. Another lawyer echoed the concern, stating that the panel should have printed more ballots than the actual number of voters, a standard practice in elections. “The same thing took place in the 2014 DBA polls, and we flagged it then,” another lawyer noted. Amol Patne, a poll panel member, dismissed the allegations, attributing the issue to a printer error. “The error was from the printer’s part, but there was no shortage,” he told The Times of India. Voting continued after additional ballot papers were arranged, though some voters expressed frustration.#nagpur #district_bar_association #amol_patne #abhijit_wanjarri #atul_londhe
Strategic Voting Shapes District Bar Association Election in Nagpur The District Bar Association (DBA) election in Nagpur is entering its final phase, with candidates engaging in a high-stakes battle over strategic voting tactics. Voting is set to take place on April 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with results expected to be announced the following day. The contest has intensified as candidates adopt calculated strategies to secure their positions, with a focus on managing vote distributions and forming last-minute alliances. At the heart of the election is a well-established practice: candidates are deliberately withholding between 200 to 250 votes each to strengthen their bargaining power. Election observers note that this tactic is common, as the balance of power can shift dramatically after 3 p.m. on the final day. "Candidates often enter into tacit understandings and transfer votes to consolidate positions," said a senior member familiar with the process. This dynamic underscores the importance of timing and coordination in determining the outcome. The electorate has been reduced to 3,370 voters due to the "one bar, one vote" rule, which removed nearly 1,300 names from the rolls. With an estimated turnout of 80%, approximately 2,700 to 2,800 votes are expected to be cast. Every vote carries significant weight, as the narrow margins could determine the winner. For the presidential race, six candidates are vying for the top post: Nitin Deshmukh, Prakash Jaiswal, Manoj Sable, Rajesh Nayak, Tarun Parmar, and Sunil Lacharwar. While the race is currently seen as a triangular contest, insiders suggest it may narrow to a direct showdown by late afternoon on polling day. An election observer noted that securing around 1,200 votes would likely secure victory in the presidential race.#nagpur #manoj_sable #district_bar_association #nitin_deshmukh #prakash_jaiswal
AI and Stipend Demands Shape DBA Elections in Nagpur The growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the legal profession is reshaping courtroom dynamics and sparking debates over the future of young lawyers, with demands for a government-backed stipend emerging as a pivotal issue in the upcoming District Bar Association (DBA) elections. As AI tools streamline tasks such as petition drafting and legal research, senior practitioners are increasingly relying on technology rather than junior lawyers, reducing internship opportunities for new entrants. This shift has raised concerns about the financial stability and training prospects of fresh graduates, prompting calls for a structured stipend to support them during their early careers. The stipend demand has gained momentum ahead of the April 24 DBA elections, which traditionally focus on factional politics. However, this year’s campaign appears to reflect a broader shift, with young lawyers prioritizing professional challenges over internal party loyalties. Former DBA president Kamal Satuja highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating, “AI has created difficulties for new lawyers. It has become harder for them to get internship opportunities with senior advocates. Even if they do, the remuneration is not adequate.” The election atmosphere at the district court has intensified, with candidates vying for key positions, including president and secretary. While factional alliances remain influential, many voters are urging candidates to address long-standing infrastructural and professional concerns. These include inadequate seating arrangements for young lawyers despite court building expansions, persistent parking shortages, and poor maintenance of sanitation facilities, particularly in women’s restrooms.#artificial_intelligence #district_bar_association #nitin_deshmukh #prakash_jaiswal #kamal_satuja
District Bar Association Elections 2026: Six Candidates Vie for President, Five for Secretary Post The District Bar Association (DBA) in Nagpur has officially cleared all nominations for its upcoming elections, setting the stage for a competitive contest for the positions of president and secretary. The final scrutiny of nominations confirmed the validity of all 11 applications received, with no rejections. This marks the beginning of the election process, which includes key dates for voter registration, candidate withdrawals, and the final candidate list. The race for the president’s post features six candidates, including former office-bearers Nitin Deshmukh, Prakash Jaiswal, and Manoj Sable, alongside Rajesh Nayak, Tarun Parmar, and Sunil Lacharkar. The presence of experienced legal professionals is expected to shape voter preferences, though internal party dynamics remain uncertain. For the secretary’s role, five candidates are in contention: Anil Gulhane, Amit Band, Ashish Shende, Nitin Rode, and Ashish Kataria. The election timeline began with the publication of the final voter list on March 30. Nomination forms were distributed starting April 1, with submissions due by April 7. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until 5 p.m. on April 9. The final list of contesting candidates will be announced on April 10, providing clarity on the number of contenders. Campaigning is restricted to a short period following the release of the final list, running from April 10 to 23. Polling is scheduled for April 24, with voting open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The counting of votes will take place on April 25, with results expected to be declared the same day. The election process emphasizes transparency, with strict adherence to deadlines and procedural guidelines.#nagpur #manoj_sable #district_bar_association #nitin_deshmukh #prakash_jaiswal
‘One Bar, One Vote’ Rule Extended to DBA Polls, HC Orders Voter List Cleanup The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday extended the ‘one bar, one vote’ principle to the upcoming District Bar Association (DBA) elections, ensuring advocates who have already voted in the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) polls are excluded from the DBA electoral roll. A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by senior counsel Mohan Sudame and others, seeking strict enforcement of the rule. The court emphasized that the principle, which prohibits advocates from participating in multiple bar association elections, must be upheld to prevent vote duplication and maintain electoral integrity. The order followed an earlier directive from the high court in October 2025, which required advocates to submit undertakings confirming they would vote in only one bar association election. Under that directive, 1,507 advocates submitted such undertakings, of which 1,444 were validated by the HCBA election committee. The court had warned that any violations of this rule would invite disciplinary action. During the recent hearing, the bench noted that while its earlier directive was interim, immediate enforcement was necessary due to the approaching DBA elections on April 24. The court ruled that excluding HCBA voters from the DBA electoral roll was essential to uphold the principle in the current cycle. The issue had previously reached the Supreme Court, which dismissed a challenge to the high court’s directive, reinforcing the validity of the ‘one bar, one vote’ framework. The Bombay High Court has scheduled a further hearing on the matter after the summer vacation, pending additional submissions.#bombay_high_court #high_court_bar_association #district_bar_association #mohan_sudame #akshay_sudame
