SC cracks whip, directs authorities to conduct mayor election

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the election to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Mayor shall be conducted first and nominated persons have no right to vote in meetings of the Corporation.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also directed the concerned authority to issue notice for the election of mayor and the first meeting of MCD shall be taken place within 24 hours.
The court also directed that notice shall fix the date at which the election of the mayor, deputy mayor and other members shall be held. The apex court said it must be noted that the election of the mayor shall be conducted first in the first meeting of MCD and once elected he shall preside over the election of the deputy mayor.
Supreme Court also noted that a provision in Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act indicates that persons nominated shall not have the right to vote in meetings of the corporation. The court also expressed its

inability to accept the submission by MCD and Delhi Lieutenant Governor on certain issues. The court remarked that the mayor has to be elected immediately as it does not look good if the mayoral polls are not conducted in the national capital. The court also noted that the provisions related to municipal elections. The court was hearing a joint petition of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shelly Oberoi challenging the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s decision to permit the nominated members to vote in the elections for mayor and deputy mayor in MCD.
In the plea, the petitioner demanded time-bound elections to the post of MCD mayor, deputy mayor and member of the standing committee.