Recently Enrolled Advocates Challenge Exclusion from Bar Council Electoral Roll

A group of recently enrolled advocates has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging their exclusion from the electoral roll for the upcoming elections of the Bar Council of Delhi.

The advocates were not allowed to vote because the results of the All India Bar Examination (AIBE XX) are still pending. According to the petitioners, they have cleared the exam based on the provisional answer key released on December 3, 2025, even though the final results have not yet been declared.

The advocates argued that pending AIBE results or the absence of a Certificate of Practice cannot be treated as a valid reason for disqualification under the rules framed by the Bar Council of India. They claimed that the rules do not clearly state that voting rights must be denied in such situations.

The petition further stated that young lawyers are being unfairly punished for delays on the part of the authorities. It was pointed out that the Bar Council of India has not conducted the AIBE twice a year as required under the AIBE Rules, 2010.

Earlier, the Bar Council of Delhi had issued a notice asking advocates to submit online declaration and verification forms for inclusion in the electoral roll. However, in a list released on December 18, 2025, the petitioners found their names under the “Not Verified” category with the remark “AIBE Not Passed”.

The advocates have now sought relief from the Delhi High Court, arguing that their exclusion affects their basic rights as enrolled members of the Bar and raises serious concerns about fairness in the electoral process.