LG intervenes in MCD ward committee poll, appoints presiding officers

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena late on Tuesday night asked MCD commissioner to notify the appointment of deputy commissioners as presiding officers for MCD ward committee polls after Mayor Shelly Oberoi did not do so. The last-minute intervention by the LG using special powers granted under the DMC Act, and in "larger public interest", ends uncertainty over the polls that are scheduled to be held on Wednesday, September 4. The LG passed the order soon after a central gazette notification was made public which granted absolute powers to the Delhi lieutenant governor to constitute any authority, board and commission such as the Delhi Commission for Women and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission. Following the LG's directions, the MCD commissioner passed an order notifying deputy commissioners as the presiding officers for the polls. The commissioner directed the Municipal Secretary to take necessary steps to hold the elections as per the schedule. "The Mayor has...not ..