Delhi LG Directs MCD Elections After Postponement Controversy

Delhi: In a last-minute intervention, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has overturned the postponement of elections for the last vacant seat of the MCD Standing Committee. He has instructed MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar to submit a report by 10 PM on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

Saxena's directive states that the deputy mayor should be appointed as the presiding officer for the elections if the mayor refuses to hold them. If the deputy mayor also declines, the senior-most member of the House will preside over the elections.

Earlier, Mayor Shelly Oberoi had postponed the election, citing disruptions caused by the frisking of councillors. She adjourned the House meeting until October 5, describing the security check as “undemocratic and insulting for the members of the House.”

The LG's order emphasized the need for the elections to proceed, stating, "The Commissioner is hereby directed to submit a report of conduct of elections of the sixth member of standing committee by 10 pm today ie on 26.09.2024 positively." It further instructed, “In case the Mayor is unavailable or refuses to preside over the meeting, the Deputy Mayor may be requested to preside over the meeting for conduct of elections. In case both are unwilling or unavailable, the seniormost member in order of seniority may be requested to discharge this function.”

Following this order, the MCD commissioner issued instructions for the conduct of the elections for the sixth member of the standing committee, aiming to resolve the ongoing political tensions within the council.