Supreme Court extended the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council election deadline to February 2, 2026, after disruptions in Lucknow halted polling. Elections continue in phases under a High-Powered Committee, following the apex court’s mandate for State Bar Council polls nationwide.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has extended the deadline for the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council elections to February 2, 2026. This decision comes in light of recent disruptions during the electoral process in Lucknow, where security issues and administrative failures led to a complete cancellation of the proceedings at the High Court.
Currently, the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh is conducting its elections in phases under the oversight of a High-Powered Election Committee. This follows a pivotal directive from the Supreme Court mandating that all State Bar Council elections in India be completed by January 31, 2026, to ensure democratic accountability within the legal community.
The third phase of the UP elections was initially set for January 27 and 28 across 18 districts, including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Meerut. In Lucknow, voting was scheduled to occur within the High Court premises.
On January 27, 2026, as voting began, the arrangements quickly became overwhelmed by the attendance of over 25,000 advocates. Reports indicated significant chaos, with several candidates alleging serious mismanagement.
The situation worsened in the afternoon when ballot papers were found outside the polling station, prompting a large protest by advocates, who began shouting slogans and breached the polling perimeter. By 4:00 PM, conditions had deteriorated to the point where security could no longer be ensured.
Returning Officer Justice (Retd) AK Tripathi and Observer Justice (Retd) Surendra Singh then decided to cancel the votes cast on that day and postpone the scheduled polling. The committee cited “security concerns” and the “unruly behavior” that threatened the decorum of the High Court as key reasons for this decision.
During a hearing before the bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI), counsel for the election authorities conveyed the realities on the ground in Lucknow.
The Counsel explained,
“the Lucknow election was held in HC premises; because of security concerns, it was cancelled. That is why we are seeking 2-4 days’ time for carrying out the process in Prayagraj.”
The counsel stressed that proceeding with the remaining process in Prayagraj and reorganizing logistics would require a brief extension beyond the original January 31 deadline. Recognizing the challenges and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, the CJI-led bench granted the request for additional time. The CJI ordered that the final date for conducting elections at the Bar Council of UP be extended to February 2.
This extension provides a limited opportunity for the Bar Council to announce new polling dates and finalize voting for eligible advocates.
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