The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday knocked the doors of the Supreme Court, seeking directions to the Election Commission to hold municipal elections in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, as per the schedule prepared by the NCTD State Election Commission.
The writ petition, filed by Advocate Shadan Farasat, contended that the elections to three Municipal bodies should be held in a free and fair manner on time, before their expiry in May.
An important question regarding the constitutional importance was raised in the plea, which was whether the State Election Commission could postpone the Municipal Body polls on the basis of information sent by the Central government, without any communique sent officially.
It contended that the State Election Commission was preparing for the Delhi Municipal Elections and by way of multiple notices, notifications and orders, had indicated that the same would be conducted in April, 2022.
The plea said that on March 9, 2022, EC had circulated a letter, indicating its intent to hold a press conference at 5 pm on the same day, to declare the specific schedule of the Municipal Elections.
Precisely half an hour later, by way of a press note, it conveyed that it had received some communication from Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, as per which the Government of India was intending to pass a legislation to merge the trifurcated Municipal Corporations of Delhi, added the plea.
The petition stated that in light of this communication, the press conference to declare the election schedule was indefinitely postponed, resulting in the Municipal Elections consequently being deferred.