‘Conduct by-polls to 13 municipal wards by April 30’

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to hold by-elections to vacant seats in 13 Municipal wards of the national Capital by April 30. “You are bound to hold the elections to vacant seats in Municipal wards under the statute. You will have to conduct by-elections by April 30,” a Bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath said. 

The direction came after Counsel Sumeet Pushkarna, appearing for SEC, submitted that the panel is committed to holding by-elections to the vacant seats in four months, if the state government provides the requisite manpower, police personnel and funds. He argued that since the delimitation exercise has begun in the national Capital in pursuance to the order of LG and if the by-elections are held, it may delay the process of municipal general elections to be held in April 2017. “If Municipal general elections are to be held in April 2017, then why can’t the bye-elections be held before April 30, 2016?” the Bench said.