Amid high-stakes, the minister from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Saurabh Bhardwaj, levels serious accusations concerning the upcoming mayoral elections in Delhi. According to Bhardwaj, the elections are scheduled for tomorrow, yet the incumbent government has still not received the requisite file naming the presiding officer. Bhardwaj expressed his sorrow over the Lieutenant Governor's intent to abandon longstanding traditions by sidestepping the elected government in the process of appointment.
Bhardwaj has raised concerns regarding the clarity of whether the Mayor of Delhi's elections will occur as planned due to the unresolved appointment of the presiding officer, asserting that the elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor cannot proceed without it.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) released the NOC yesterday evening
It was reported Wednesday evening that the ECI issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) regarding the elections for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Delhi Municipal Corporation. This clarification sets the stage for the elections to be held tomorrow, having previously been under a cloud of uncertainty. According to regulations, the MCD is required to obtain an NOC from the ECI for mayoral elections due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Why is the Election Commission's permission crucial for mayoral elections?
The elections for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are slated for April 26. The notification for this was already published. Following this, the Corporation Secretary had sent a letter to the Election Commission requesting permission. A file was also sent to the Lieutenant Governor. Under normal circumstances, the Election Commission plays no role in the elections of the Corporation or Mayor, Deputy Mayor, but since the Lok Sabha elections are underway and the Model Code of Conduct is in effect, the Election Commission's approval becomes necessary. Hence, the await for the Commission’s permission was crucial for the mayoral election.
