"Nominated Councilors Will Not Vote": Big Relief To AAP From Supreme Court On Delhi Mayor Election

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has got a big relief from the Supreme Court in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's Mayor Election case. The Supreme Court, while giving a big decision on the petition, said that 10 councilors (aldermen) nominated by the governor will not vote in the mayoral election. Court said- 'We are not accepting the argument of MCD and LG that nominated councilors can vote in the first meeting. Notice should be issued within 24 hours for the first meeting for the election of Mayor. The date of mayoral election and other elections should be mentioned in the notice.

The court gave this verdict after hearing a petition filed by AAP leader Dr. Shelly Oberoi challenging LG's decision to allow nominated members to vote in the election of MCD Mayor and Deputy Mayor. On the delay in voting, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said, "It doesn't feel good that this is happening in the capital of the country".

The Supreme Court said that according to Article 243R of the Constitution, nominated councilors cannot vote. It is better to have an election as soon as possible. The Supreme Court said that the mayor will be elected first. After that there will be election of deputy mayor and standing council. MCD's lawyer Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain said that aldermen (nominated councilors) can vote. Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal has expressed happiness by tweeting after the decision of the Supreme Court. Kejriwal wrote- 'Supreme Court's order is the victory of democracy. Many thanks to the Supreme Court. Delhi will now get a mayor after two and a half months. It has been proved that how LG and BJP together are passing illegal and unconstitutional orders in Delhi.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing in the court on behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party, said- 'I will soon put two points before you. First thing- we are talking about mayor election in a municipality. Please see section 243R. Article 243R of the Constitution does not give voting rights to the Alderman. Para 1 says that the nominated person cannot vote. This act for this municipality for this election shows it, that is section 3A.

SC का आदेश जनतंत्र की जीत। SC का बहुत बहुत शुक्रिया। ढाई महीने बाद अब दिल्ली को मेयर मिलेगा।

ये साबित हो गया कि LG और बीजेपी मिलकर आये दिन दिल्ली में कैसे ग़ैरक़ानूनी और असंवैधानिक आदेश पारित कर रहे हैं

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 17, 2023