Delhi MCD Election 2017: Over 4,200 nominations filed

Over 4,200 nominations have been filed for the municipal polls due on April 23 as the last date for filing the papers ended on Monday amid rush of candidates from all parties.

By PTI

Updated: Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 11:43 [IST]

New Delhi, April 4: Over 4,200 nominations have been filed for the municipal polls due on April 23 as the last date for filing the papers ended on Monday, April 3, amid rush of candidates from all parties and independent contestants.

Among the major parties, the AAP has filed 1,033 nominations followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress with 565 and 544. Nominations also include duplicate entries for contingencies like cancellation of papers of the main candidate.

BJP Delhi Vice President Rajiv Babbar trying to convince party workers from Tilak Nagar constituency protesting against the party's decision to give MCD seats to Akali Dal in New Delhi on Sunday, April 2. — BJP Delhi vice president Rajiv Babbar trying to convince party workers from Tilak Nagar constituency protesting against the party's decision to give MCD seats to Akali Dal in New Delhi on Sunday, April 2.

According to the data released by the Delhi State Election Commission late on Monday night, out of the total 4,240 nominations, 3,249 were filed on the last day today. The much-awaited polls will be fought on 272 seats. While North Delhi Municipal Corporation and South Delhi Municipal Corporation have 104 seats each, East Delhi Municipal Corporation has 64.

The erstwhile unified MCD was trifurcated in 2012 into NDMC, SDMC and EDMC, respectively. The BJP has been ruling the MCD since 2007. The last polls were held in 2012. Most of the nominations were filed today as a heavy rush witnessed at various offices of the returning officers.

While 678 nominations were filed in east Delhi, the north and south saw 1,346 and 1,225 nominations today. The nomination process had begun from March 27. Due to consecutive holidays on Saturday and Sunday, an extension of three hours was given to candidates.

The process was scheduled to close at 3 PM earlier. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 5. The rush was also due all candidates of the BJP and Congress filing their nominations on the last day. 1,439 candidates have also filed nominations as Independents.

Candidates of the BSP, the JD-U, the SP, the Shiv Sena, the NCP and few other political outfits, also in the fray, filed their nominations. The total number of electorate for the civic polls stands at 1,32,10,206, which include 73,15,915 men, 58,93,418 women and 793 voters in the other category, the state election commission said.

PTI