FILE PHOTO – FOR NEW DELHI 100 SERIES ::: New Delhi —- 07 November 2011 — HT News — A view of Civic Center in New Delhi on Monday. HT Photo ARIJIT SEN
Elections for 12 ward committees are being held in Delhi Municipal Corporation today. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had directed MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar to conduct the elections, after which he appointed Deputy Commissioners of all zones of MCD as presiding officers. The elections will be held today on Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm. Earlier, Mayor Shaili Oberoi had refused to appoint presiding officers.
According to the corporation act, appointment of presiding officers is necessary for the ward committee elections. They conduct the elections. The mayor had written a letter to corporation commissioner Ashwini Kumar asking him to re-conduct the elections. The mayor had asked to give a week’s notice for the nomination of the chairman, vice-chairman of the committees and a member for the standing committee.
The MCD Commissioner had said in the order that the election schedule has already been fixed regarding the election of Chairman, Deputy Chairman for 12 ward committees and one member for the Standing Committee. However, the Mayor has not nominated the presiding officers for this election. In such a situation, in the larger public interest and to preserve the democratic spirit of the municipal body, the Lieutenant Governor has directed that the elections be held as per the schedule notified by the Election Commissioner, MCD.
BJP wins from Keshav Puram zone
All BJP candidates from Keshavpuram zone have won unopposed. Yogesh Verma of BJP has won the post of chairman from Keshavpuram zone. Party candidate Sushil has won the post of deputy chairman and Shikha Bhardwaj has won as a member of the standing committee.
AAP wins unopposed in Karol Bagh and City SP zones
MCD Ward Committee Election: During the MCD ward committee elections, Aam Aadmi Party candidates have won unopposed in Karol Bagh and City SP zone due to having majority. AAP’s Rakesh Joshi has won the post of chairman in Karol Bagh zone, Jyoti Gautam of the party has won the post of deputy chairman and Ankush Narang has won as a member of the standing committee. Apart from this, Mohammad Sadiq has won the post of chairman in City SP zone and Kiran Bala has won the post of deputy chairman. Apart from this, Purdeep Singh Sahni has won as a member of the standing committee.
AAP councillors had withdrawn the petitions
MCD Ward Committee Election: Earlier, two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors withdrew their petitions filed in the court requesting to postpone the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) Ward Committee elections and schedule the election again.
After the high court indicated that it was not inclined to grant any relief, both the councillors withdrew the petitions. They had sought rescheduling of the election alleging that sufficient time was not given to file nominations for the election of chairperson and vice-chairperson of 12 zonal ward committees and one member each from each committee for the standing committee of the MCD.
MCD ward committee elections will start shortly
MCD Ward Committee Election: MCD Ward Committee elections are going to start shortly. Earlier, BJP councilor Preeti Agarwal said, we want it to be conducted smoothly so that the people of Delhi do not face any problems.
Tight security at Civic Center building
Security has been tightened in the Civic Center building before the MCD ward committee elections. A large number of police forces and jawans have been deployed who are checking every visitor.
Who will prevail over whom?
These elections are being held after about 18 months in which it will be decided which party will win the election of the most powerful body of MCD, the Standing Committee. Currently, out of 12 wards, 7 are occupied by BJP and 5 by Aam Aadmi Party.
Chances of chaos in election
There is a possibility of a huge uproar during the corporation elections. In such a situation, strict security arrangements have been made. Neither mobile phones nor any other electronic devices will be allowed to be carried to the booth. Apart from this, no candidate or supporter is allowed to go to the voting booth along with the councillors and nominated members.
LG gave the decision late night
After the refusal of Mayor Shelly Oberoi, LG had used his powers and directed to conduct the elections on time. As per the instructions received from the Lieutenant Governor, the Commissioner has asked the Deputy Commissioners of the respective wards to conduct the elections as presiding officers.
