CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday set aside the Chandigarh administration’s order deferring the mayoral polls and said the election will be held on January 30.
The decision came in response to a petition filed by Kuldeep Kumar, an AAP councillor, challenging the Chandigarh deputy commissioner’s order postponing the election date from January 18 to February 6.
Petitioner’s counsel and Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh said, “A division bench of Justices Sudhir Singh and Harsh Bunger set aside the administration order. Polling for the posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor will now be held at 10 am on January 30.’’
“The court has allowed our petition. The presiding authority for the mayoral polls will be appointed on the same day. Only municipal councillors will be allowed at the Chandigarh municipal corporation office on that day. No supporter will accompany the councillors. The Chandigarh police will ensure security to the municipal councillors, no other state police personnel could accompany the councillors for the elections,’’ said Singh.
Initially slated to be held on January 18, the polls were deferred to February 6 after Anil Masih, the presiding officer, fell sick, triggering protests from the Congress and AAP councillors. The Congress and the AAP, that have joined hands for the polls, accusing the BJP of not allowing the election, fearing “imminent defeat”.
In the 35-member municipal corporation, the BJP has 14 councillors. It also has an ex-officio member, MP Kirron Kher, who has voting rights. The AAP has 13 councillors, the Congress seven and the SAD one.
Deputy commissioner order set aside
Initially slated to be held on January 18, the polls were deferred to February 6 after Anil Masih, the presiding officer, fell sick, triggering protests from the Congress and AAP councillors. The HC decision came in response to a petition filed by an AAP councillor challenging the Chandigarh deputy commissioner’s order postponing the election date from January 18 to February 6.