Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

Delhi civic polls: AAP moves SC for free, fair, timely elections

Darpan News Desk IANS, 17 Mar, 2022 11:32 AM
  • Delhi civic polls: AAP moves SC for free, fair, timely elections

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party has moved the Supreme Court challenging the State Election Commission's (SEC) decision to postpone the municipal elections without any reasonable ground.

The plea contended that the decision has been taken solely on the basis of unofficial communication by the Central government. "The brazen influence of the Government of India over the State Election Commission and its flagrant meddling with the conduct of municipal elections forms the subject matter of this writ petition," said the plea.

The plea sought a direction to the SEC to conduct the municipal elections in Delhi, according to the initially conceived schedule, before the expiry of the tenure of the Municipal Corporations of Delhi, in May 2022, in a free and fair manner.

The petition contended that the SEC, on March 9, issued a press note for holding the polls in April.

"However, precisely half an hour later, by way of a press note, it conveyed that it had received some communication from the Lt. Governor of Delhi, conveying that the Government of India was intending to pass a legislation to merge the trifurcated Municipal Corporations of Delhi. In light of this communication, the press conference to declare the election schedule was indefinitely postponed; the municipal elections consequently being deferred," said the plea.

The plea added that no formal state communication has been issued to this effect yet. Even in the ongoing Budget Session, no agenda has been declared regarding the tabling of a Bill to this effect, it added.

"As no subsequent formal notification, agenda or communication regarding the merger of the Corporations has come from the state, it clearly showed the delaying tactics to hamper the free and fair conduct of elections beyond the constitutionally mandated period of five years, as per Article 243U of the Constitution," it said.

The plea questioned whether the SEC can be influenced by an unofficial communication sent by the Centre to defer municipal elections, which the poll body was prepared to conduct.

"The timing of this communication, right before the declaration of the schedule also leaves much to be desired. The conduct of the government makes evident its attempt to interfere with the free and fair conduct of elections. Instead of stopping the government from doing so and protecting its independence, the respondent commission has given in and deferred the elections", added the plea.

The plea contended that the sole influence of the government in deferring the municipal elections is a clear infringement of the independence of the State Election Commission and an evident obstruction to the impartial conduct of elections.

"Issue a writ of mandamus, directing Respondent Commission to expeditiously conduct the municipal elections in Delhi as per their initial proposal, in a free and fair manner," said the plea.

MORE India ARTICLES

SKM announces next phase of movement to demand MSP guarantee

SKM announces next phase of movement to demand MSP guarantee
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has decided to organise a nationwide protest on March 21, regarding the role of the government in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, and the betrayal of the assurances given to the farmers' movement.

SKM announces next phase of movement to demand MSP guarantee

India, Canada hold Foreign Office Consultations

India, Canada hold Foreign Office Consultations
The Indian delegation was led by Ministry of External Affairs's Secretary, East, Saurabh Kumar, while the Canadian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign and Global Affairs Marta Morgan. 

India, Canada hold Foreign Office Consultations

Several trapped after building collapses in Delhi's Kashmere Gate

Several trapped after building collapses in Delhi's Kashmere Gate
As many as eight people were reportedly trapped after a building collapsed in North Delhi's Kashmere Gate area on Monday evening. The fire department received the information about the incident at around 5:25 pm.

Several trapped after building collapses in Delhi's Kashmere Gate

Sikhs employed in aviation sector allowed to carry small 'kirpan' in airport

Sikhs employed in aviation sector allowed to carry small 'kirpan' in airport
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) amended its order issued on March 4 by deleting the para restricting the entry of Sikh employees inside the airport carrying 'kirpan' of specified size. The new order issued on March 12 restored the position prior to March 4.

Sikhs employed in aviation sector allowed to carry small 'kirpan' in airport

International kabaddi player shot dead in Punjab

International kabaddi player shot dead in Punjab
A former captain of the Indian kabaddi team, Sandeep hailed from Nangal Ambian village in Shahkot. He is survived by his wife and two sons, who are currently in England, where he was settled.

International kabaddi player shot dead in Punjab

All Badals, kin unseated by AAP's greenhorns

All Badals, kin unseated by AAP's greenhorns
All the Badals, led by five-time Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the eldest candidate at 94 in fray for the 117-member Punjab Assembly, as well as their kin, on Thursday lost to AAP's greenhorns.

All Badals, kin unseated by AAP's greenhorns