The MCD ward committee elections, scheduled for September 4, are taking place for the first time since 2021. Hearing two pleas by AAP councillors Prem Chauhan and Tilotma Chaudhary seeking the postponement of the MCD wards committee elections, the Delhi High Court orally remarked on Friday they could have filed their nomination papers instead of filing petitions before the court. As the court of Justice Purushaindra Kaurav expressed that it was “100 per cent not inclined” to entertain the pleas, Chauhan and Chaudhary withdrew their pleas.
Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for Chauhan, argued that while the past such elections for ward committees have seen a grant of one week for filing of nomination papers, it was reduced to only a day this time. While Mehra submitted it is an “issue of free and fair elections”, Justice Kaurav orally inquired from Mehra, “You could file a petition, get it notarised, and you can’t file papers?” To this Mehra responded that the petitioner is “indisposed” and that filing of nomination papers requires him looking for a proposer and a seconder, which requires time.
Justice Kaurav added, “If you sincerely want to participate in an election you should have gone to the corporation instead of coming to court…it’s not that you were not anticipating these elections…28th this was issued (notification announcing the timeline of polls for the ward committee). You could’ve prepared. I don’t find any reason why you can’t have a proposer, a seconder…the court can’t guide them that keep it in a week, keep it for 5 days etc..The consistent approach of the court is not to interfere with elections.” However, Mehra pressed on. “Why this pressing hurry? Shouldn’t an election involve everybody…it’ll be a limited election, everybody won’t be able to participate..need time to approach proposers etc.” Justice Kaurav was quick to add, “‘Approaching’ sometimes in election context can also be horse trading…(I) have some experience in Madhya Pradesh (while adjudicating matters). So this (less time for filing nomination papers) ensures less time for that.” Mehra contended, “Having 2-3 days more would ensure this aspect of horse trading doesn’t take place…2-3 days won’t make any difference to anyone.” Mehra however clarified that the intent is not to delay the elections overall. Similarly, Chaudhary’s counsel too impressed that the short notice “doesn’t leave me enough leg room to organise my affairs,” before hurriedly clarifying that he is “talking about paperwork, not horse trading,” leaving the judge laughing and clarifying that he is not saying or implying anything.
The ward committee election — for all the 12 ward committees scheduled for September 4 — is taking place for the first time since 2021. The polls are crucial because 12 of the 18 members of the standing committee, which forms the financial backbone of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, are elected by these ward committees which elects one member to be a part of the standing committee. There are 250 councillors across 12 zones. Each zone has one ward committee, and with 12 zones, 12 ward committees are due to be elected. From every ward committee, one member will be part of the MCD standing committee.
