RWAs welcome poll dates, ward committees in 33 wards to fight polls

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) The Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) today welcomed the announcement of April 5 as the date for MCD polls by the state Election Commission and have formed Ward Committees in as many as 33 wards to select RWA candidates for the forthcoming elections.

''Our primary concern is that election must not be held in continuation of any holiday,''said Sanjay Kaul, President, People's Action, who had made a written submission to the State Election commission on this account.

''Our experience and analysis has repeatedly shown that an election on a Friday or a Monday becomes an invitation to hard-pressed middle class families to take long weekend breaks.

Therefore, Thursday, April 5 is perfectly suited from our viewpoint of mobilising the middle classes to come out and vote for the municipal polls,''he added.

Meanwhile, the number of wards where RWAs have formed Ward Committees to initiate the process for candidate selection climbed to 33 today, with Daryaganj also filing its Ward Committee with the Municipal Elections Campaign Secretariat, created by Peoples Action, to facilitate the process.

Civil society groups and RWAs have also welcomed ban on use of cavalcades and cars, loudspeakers, posters and banners.

''However, we want to emphasise that the limit of Rs 1.5 lakhs is far in excess of requirement. We do not need so much money to fight a local election,'' Mr Kaul said, adding that he had made a similar submission to the Commissioner today.

UNI