India, July 11 -- The Uttarakhand high court on Friday stayed a clarification issued by the State Election Commission (SEC) that allowed candidates with names in multiple electoral rolls to contest panchayat elections.

A division bench comprising chief justice G Narendar and justice Alok Mahra held that the SEC's clarification was prima facie in contravention of the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act, 2016.

The order came on a writ petition filed by a Rudraprayag-based Shakti Singh Barthwal, who raised concerns about the legality of candidates being permitted to file nominations despite being listed in more than one gram panchayat, territorial constituency, or municipal body electoral roll.

Abhijay Negi, who was represented by Abhijay Negi...