The BJP councillors have urged the presiding officer for the mayoral elections to ensure secrecy of ballot and fairness in the elections. In a representation to the presiding officer, the councillors have stated that mobile phones/cameras should be strictly prohibited within the premises of polling booth at the time of elections and the same should be strictly ensured.

The enclosure in which the vote is cast should be reduced to such height so that the voters should be visible and secrecy of vote is maintained as mandated in the Representation of People's Act.

Mayoral candidate of the SAD-BJP combine, Arun Sood said the representation is being made in view of the past experiences of similar elections wherein questions were raised with respect to secrecy of ballot and fairness of elections.

On other hand, sensing rift among Congress councillors, union minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Saturday had a meeting with all the party councillors at Congress Bhawan, Sector 35, and urged them to show unity for the mayoral elections.

Congress councillor Satish Kainth, who is contesting for the post of deputy mayor, said: "We do not know why BJP candidates are seeking votes of nominated councillors when they even went to court against their voting rights. We, in the House, even approved their ward development fund of Rs. 1 crore, equivalent to elected councillors."

Nominated councillor Surinder Bahga, however, said: "As far as votes of nominated councillors are concerned, we are going by merit of candidates. We do not want to be branded as supporters of the Congress or BJP."