MCD poll notification issued, nominations from today

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Nominations opened today for the April 5 polls to the 272-member Municipal Corporation of Delhi with Delhi State Election Commission issuing the notification signaling the start of the formal election process.

State Election Commissioner S P Marwah said the last date for filing of nominations was March 17.

Scrutiny would take place on March 19 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is March 22, he said.

A total of 99 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the Capital.

Counting of votes would be held on April 7 and the entire election process was to be completed by April 9.

Seats in the MCD house had been increased from 134 to 272 after the Delhi Assembly recently passed the Delhi Municipal Council (Amendment) Bill 2007 providing for one ward per 50,000 people in Delhi.

Accordingly, the number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes also increased to 46, while 92 were reserved for women, including 16 in the SC category.

Model Code of Conduct came into force on February 23 with the announcement of the polling schedule.

For the first time, use of banners and hoardings for campaigning had been banned by the Model Code of Conduct. Also, use of loudspeakers for campaigning would not be allowed after 2200 hours.

Each candidate could spend a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh on campaigning and poll-releated expenses.

As many as 1,050 polling stations would be set up in 12 municipal zones of the city.

UNI