HC reserves verdict on councillors’ petition

The Delhi high court on Thursday reserved its verdict on petitions of councillors seeking quashing of a notification by the state election commission, reserving seats for SC candidates for the upcoming MCD polls.

The Delhi high court on Thursday reserved its verdict on petitions of councillors seeking quashing of a notification by the state election commission, reserving seats for SC candidates for the upcoming MCD polls.

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Bench of justice SK Kaul and justice Rajiv Shakdher fixed the case for pronouncement of judgement after hearing two days of arguments by lawyer for the councillors and the state election commission.

The court had on Wednesday refused to stay the elections scheduled for April. The councillors questioned the delegation of powers by Delhi government to the state election commission to decide on “reservation” of seats for SC and women candidates for the civic polls.

Citing constitutional provisions, they said, “the Election Commission has no role whatsoever in reservation of seats or rotation of seats prior to an election. Its role starts with the preparation of electoral roll and conduct of election.”

The councillors had earlier moved the court seeking quashing of the notification, saying a faulty method was adopted to reserve seats for SC candidates.