MCD polls on April 5

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) The Delhi State Election Commission today announced that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi polls will be held on April 5.

A total of 99 lakh voters in 12 municipal zones of Delhi are eligible to cast their votes in 1050 polling stations for election to 272 wards in the MCD House, out of which 46 are reserved for Scheduled Castes.

A total of 5800 polling personnel will be stationed at the polling booths.

Addressing a press conference here, State Election Commissioner S P Marwah said notification for the poll would be issued on March 10, initiating the process of filing of nominations.

Nominations will be received till March 17. Scrutiny of nominations will take place till March 19. The last date for withdrawal of candidature will be March 22.

Counting of votes will be held on April 7, Mr Marwah said and added since the first meeting of the previous MCD House was held on April 10, 2002, the election process has to be completed by April 9.

He said as per the revision of the electoral rolls till January 1, 2007, the number of electors in Delhi is 99 lakh. However, since the process of revision of electoral rolls is an ongoing one, those included in the rolls till March 22, will be allowed to vote.

With the announcement of the poll, the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect which bars the use of banners and hoardings for campaigning purposes.

Mr Marwah said the polls dates were finalised to ensure they do not clash with the forthcoming CBSE examination.

Also, for the first time, banning the use of banners and hoardings for campaigning had been included in the model code of conduct. He said this was done after consultations with representatives of various political parties in the capital a few days ago.

He said each candidate could spend a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh on campaigning and poll-releated expenses. Also, use of loudspeakers for campaigning would not be allowed after 2200 hours.

In the new MCD house, the number of seats will be more than two times the previous house followin the passage, by the Delhi Legislative Assembly, of the Delhi Municipal Council (Amendment) Bill, 2007 providing for one ward per 50000 people in Delhi.

UNI