Delhi mayoral elections, scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed as the Supreme Court posted hearing of a plea filed by AAP mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi for February 17. The office of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor told the apex court that the elections would be postponed to a date after February 17.
The bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, meanwhile, made a significant observation that nominated members cannot vote in the election.
"Nominated members cannot go for election. The constitutional provision is very clear," it said.
Oberoi's petition had challenged the L-G's decision to permit the nominated members to vote in the elections for mayor and deputy mayor in MCD.
Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for Oberoi, told the bench that the petitioner is seeking two directions—nominated members should not be permitted to vote and the elections of mayor, deputy mayor and standing committee be separated.
The apex court had on February 8 sought responses of the office of the LG, pro tem presiding officer Satya Sharma of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and others on Oberoi's plea.
High political drama unfolded inside the Delhi Civic Centre as the House met for the third time this month to elect the mayor, only to be deferred till the next date due to a ruckus over the nominated members being permitted to vote.
Earlier, the House was summoned on January 6 and January 25 but couldn't hold elections due to protests.
