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

Cong seen to lose 11% vote share in Punjab, AAP to gain 15% to form govt

Cong seen to lose 11% vote share in Punjab, AAP to gain 15% to form govt
In 2017, the Aam Aadmi Party had got around 23 per cent votes but the projections for this election is 39 per cent, while Congress seems to have lost around 11 per cent votes, against in last election's over 38 per cent now, to around 26 per cent and may see its tally come down from 77 seats to 25 seats.

Cong seen to lose 11% vote share in Punjab, AAP to gain 15% to form govt

Ukraine crisis: Indian national shot at in Kiev, stable

Ukraine crisis: Indian national shot at in Kiev, stable
Harjot's brother Prabhjot Singh, who resides in Delhi's Chhattarpur, told IANS: "The last conversation I had with Harjot was on February 26 at 9 p.m. I haven't spoken to him since then. On March 2, at night, he contacted the family and informed them about his injuries.

Ukraine crisis: Indian national shot at in Kiev, stable

225 students returned to Punjab from Ukraine so far: Chief Secretary

225 students returned to Punjab from Ukraine so far: Chief Secretary
While directing officials to ensure safe return of the remaining students and other persons stuck in Ukraine, he said the state government is sparing no effort to help the distressed families in this hour of crisis.

225 students returned to Punjab from Ukraine so far: Chief Secretary

Russia says buses ready to take out Indians, India says not without ceasefire

Russia says buses ready to take out Indians, India says not without ceasefire
Over 700 Indian students are stuck in Sumy and they are running out of basic necessities like food and water and they have been urging the Indian government to get them evacuated from there.

Russia says buses ready to take out Indians, India says not without ceasefire

Ukraine crisis: Over 7K Indians to be evacuated in next 2 days, says Centre

Ukraine crisis: Over 7K Indians to be evacuated in next 2 days, says Centre
Over 7,400 Indian nationals are expected to be evacuated under the 'Operation Ganga' in the next two days, the government said on Thursday. The Centre has initiated an airlift operation to evacuate Indians, who have found their way to the neighbouring countries of war-torn Ukraine.

Ukraine crisis: Over 7K Indians to be evacuated in next 2 days, says Centre

India warns stranded nationals of aerial attacks, tells them to learn few Russian phrases

India warns stranded nationals of aerial attacks, tells them to learn few Russian phrases
This advisory, prepared by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, warns about aerial raids, missile attacks, artillery shelling, small arms and gunfire, grenade explosions and 'Molotov cocktails', including by local people/militia.

India warns stranded nationals of aerial attacks, tells them to learn few Russian phrases