Election of Delhi’s Mayor

Why in news?

• The Supreme Court has said that the aldermen — who are nominated members of the Delhi Municipal Corporation cannot vote in the election of Delhi’s Mayor.

About Aldermen:

• The term alderman refers to a member of a city council or municipal body; however, their specific roles and responsibilities differ according to the context.

The controversy in Delhi:

• As per the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, ten people, over the age of 25 can be nominated to the corporation by the Lieutenant Governor.
• These people are expected to have special knowledge or experience in municipal administration.
• They are meant to assist the house in taking decisions of public importance.

Supreme Court on Alderman:

• A petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking the debarment of nominated members from voting in the mayoral elections.
• The petitioner had referred to the Article 243R of the Constitution which says that “all the seats in a Municipality shall be filled by persons chosen by direct election from the territorial constituencies in the Municipal area and for this purpose, each Municipal area shall be divided into territorial constituencies to be known as wards”.
• The Supreme Court said that nominated members cannot vote in the election for the post of mayor of the Municipal Corporation as the constitutional provision is very clear in this regard.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements:

1. Nominated members cannot vote in the election for the post of mayor of the Municipal Corporation

2. Constitution provides that Lieutenant Governor can nominate ten people to Delhi Municipal Corporation

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer