TNSPC election likely to be postponed as newly formed association moves court against off-line election

Chennai, August 11, 2022 :

The much awaited election to the Tamil Nadu State Pharmacy Council (TNSPC) may be postponed as a newly formed association of some registered pharmacists has approached the High Court with a request to direct the government and the council to conduct the council election through online mode as it will help reduce huge expenses incurred for off-line election using ballot papers.  

TNSPC had planned everything to conduct the election in August-September this year. But now, all the activities have been halted due to the interference of the High Court again and it seems that the election is likely to be postponed.

According to the registrar of the council, earlier the pharmacy council had sought the permission of the government to carry forward all the procedures for the election through online mode, but due to technical problems the health ministry discouraged the council in going digital. The government informed the council to prepare for an off-line election this time too using postal ballots as the government is not prepared with safe software to conduct digital balloting.

Soon after the petition was filed by the association before the court the health secretary informed the council to wait for some time until the court takes a decision in this regard. Meanwhile, TNSPC as the respondent, filed a counter petition in the court saying that there would be technical problems to conduct the election online, so permission from the court is required to conduct it in physical mode this time and in future the council will consider online procedures.    
 
Talking to Pharmabiz, the council registrar Dr. M Kanimozhi said the government and the council are hopeful of a favourable order from the court as the government has already convinced the court about the technical problems with respect to safe software. Both the government and the council are now waiting for the court direction. 
 
“Because of this delay the election is unlikely to be held in the next three months time. The council will take further steps only after the judgment of the court comes,” she said.
 
The present preparation of the council was for holding the 9th election to the TNSPC and it was stayed for a period of 12 years due to a court case alleging malpractices in 2009. Pharmabiz