Latest news with #ProcedureandConductofBusiness
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ballot days over, a show of hands now to decide fate of MC elections
Chandigarh: In a move that could dramatically reshape the city's political landscape, Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has approved a game-changing amendment to the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulations, 1996. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Starting with the 2026 mayoral elections, the mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor will be elected not by secret ballot — but by a show of hands. "This change will strengthen democratic processes and make elected representatives more accountable," Kataria said while sharing the late-evening development. Since the municipal corporation's inception in 1996, mayoral elections have been conducted via secret ballot, a system that has often led to cross-voting, party defections, and behind-the-scenes deals. The new method will make every vote visible and traceable, reducing the scope for manipulation. An official communication from the Chandigarh administration said this amendment was first passed in the house meeting of the MC. "It was proposed under the legal powers granted by Section 398(2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 (as extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the Chandigarh UT Act, 1994). The proposal was then sent to the administrator for approval, which has now been formally granted," the administration said. Earlier this year, Kataria had directed the deputy commissioner's office to draft an amendment in applicable law to allow voting by a show of hands instead of the previous system of secret ballots. Following this, deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav sent the proposal to higher officers for consideration. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Cong, AAP welcome move Congress and AAP have welcomed the decision to allow voting in the mayoral elections by a show of hands. "We thank the administrator for this bold step. The Chandigarh Congress and MP Manish Tewari have been constantly demanding this. This will pave way for cleaner politics and will help enhance the image of the Chandigarh municipal corporation and its councillors, who have constantly faced charges of horse trading," said Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky. Lucky further demanded implementation of the anti-defection law in the MC. AAP Chandigarh president Vijaypal Singh said this historic step will ensure greater transparency, accountability, and integrity in the functioning of the municipal corporation. The move will not only act as a check on corruption, but will also ensure that no elected representative can betray the trust of their voters. 2024: A Turning Point The push for reform gained momentum after the controversial mayoral election in 2024, when Anil Masih, a nominated councillor and presiding officer, was caught on camera invalidating eight votes cast for AAP-Congress alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar. The Supreme Court later called it a "murder of democracy", overturned the results, and declared Kumar the rightful winner—marking the rise of Chandigarh's first non-BJP, non-Congress mayor. This scandal not only triggered nationwide outrage but also led to a resolution in October 2024, passed by the MC House under then mayor Kuldeep Kumar, demanding open voting in future elections. 2025: Cross-Voting Strikes Again Despite the Supreme Court refusing to intervene in January 2025, the BJP managed to clinch the mayoral seat through cross-voting, gaining support from three opposition councillors. The current Mayor, Harpreet Kaur Babla, won under this cloud of controversy and lacks a clear majority. It's advantage for Cong-AAP With the Congress-AAP alliance now holding a majority in the 36-member House, the new voting method could tilt the balance of power in their favour, making future cross-voting nearly impossible.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Elections To Chandigarh Mayoral Polls Can Now Be Held By Show Of Hands
Chandigarh: Election to the posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation can now be held by a show of hands instead of a secret ballot. Punjab Governor and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, on Tuesday approved an amendment to Regulation 6 of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulations, 1996. "With this amendment, the mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor will now be elected through a show of hands instead of the earlier secret ballot method," said an official statement here. Kataria said the new system will bring greater transparency in the election process and make the role of elected representatives clearer and accountable. He expressed hope that this change will help improve the functioning and governance of the municipal corporation and will further strengthen trust in democratic processes. The amendment was earlier passed in the House meeting of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. It was proposed under the legal powers granted by Section 398(2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 (as extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the Chandigarh UT Act, 1994). The proposal was then sent to the Administrator for approval, which has now been formally granted. A controversy had erupted during the 2024 mayoral polls when the then presiding officer, Anil Masih, was caught on camera invalidating eight ballot papers which were in favour of the AAP-Congress. The matter had then reached the Supreme Court, which overturned the result of the Chandigarh mayoral poll in which the BJP candidate had won. The apex court declared AAP's Kuldeep Kumar the mayor of the Chandigarh MC. Meanwhile, Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky welcomed the decision and thanked the Administrator for this step. He said the Chandigarh Congress and MP Manish Tewari had been demanding for allowing voting by showing of hands. "This will pave the way for cleaner politics and help in enhancing the image of Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh and its councillors who constantly face charges of horse trading," he said in a statement.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assembly amending rules to align with GNCTD Act: Gupta
New Delhi: Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday said the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Vidhan Sabha are being amended in line with the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, to bring them on par with the rules governing the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Gupta clarified that the amendment does not affect the routine functioning of the House or restrict assembly committees. The changes aim to remove ambiguities in rule interpretation. "The Privileges Committee and Petitions Committee can still summon officials and question them on complaints. They can scrutinise Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports but cannot summon officials for routine executive matters, which the previous govt often did," Gupta said. AAP reacted, saying, "It is strange that a person who disrupted the Delhi Assembly during last 10 years is now pointing fingers at others." Leader of the opposition in the Delhi assembly and former chief minister Atishi wrote a letter to the Speaker last month, raising concerns that following the amendments in the GNCTD Act, the legislative assembly "cannot make any rule to enable itself or its committees to consider the day-to-day administration of the Capital or conduct inquiries in relation to the administrative decisions". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Egypt: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo The letter was in reference to three CAG reports – public health, liquor supply, and vehicular air pollution – being scrutinised by PAC. Gupta said Rule 280 was vague and sometimes exploited for "vested interests." The amendments will address this, make rules gender-neutral, simplify language, and align them with parliamentary rules. The assembly has also formed two new committees— Committee on the Welfare of Senior Citizens and the Committee on the Welfare of Transgenders and Persons with Disabilities—and is drafting rules for them.
