MCD ward committee polls tomorrow: Candidate can’t bring along supporters this time

Earlier, during the elections of the ward committee, each candidate used to bring their supporters. This year’s guidelines prohibit the candidates from doing so. “No candidate should bring his/her supporters with him/her as neither the supporters nor their vehicles will be allowed to enter the Civic Centre,” the guidelines issued by Municipal Secretary Shiva Prasad said.

BJP MPs accompanied councillors for filing the nomination on Friday.

The MCD internal elections held between December 2022 and April 2023 saw clashes between the AAP and BJP, leading to several delays. After one such fight, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi had also accused the BJP councillors of allegedly dragging her and attempting to beat her up.

An MCD official said, “Earlier, they (councillors) used to come with their supporters but we don’t want any sort of violence to take place, so this time the councillors will not be allowed to come with their supporters.”

Another senior MCD official said, “One of the reasons to not allow supporters this time is because generally, the elections of three zonal wards used to be held in a single day, this time all 12 ward committee elections will be held on the same day so there wouldn’t be enough space to accommodate so many supporters.”

The ward committee elections are going to take place from 10 am onwards on Wednesday, September 4. The other issued guidelines include: councillors will be allowed entry only after they show their corporation identity cards; electronic devices will be prohibited inside the polling booths; keeping the time limit in mind, no member is allowed to welcome the newly elected office bearers in the assembly hall; media persons will not be allowed in the assembly hall where elections are taking place; and only employees posted for duty will be allowed entry in Sabha Bhawan with identity cards.