MCD to elect SC mayor today after much delay

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is likely to elect its new mayor on Thursday as Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Wednesday appointed the presiding officer, putting into motion a process that has been delayed for six months due to a multitude of reasons.

- Paras Singh

The LG has appointed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor from Gautampuri, Satya Sharma as the presiding officer to oversee the election process that was supposed to be held in April this year. Sharma was also the presiding officer in February last year when incumbent mayor, Shelly Oberoi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was elected for the first time. Oberoi was later re-elected in April that year.

Reacting on Sharma's appointment, the AAP opined that the LG should have instead appointed the incumbent mayor or the senior-most councillor to ensure fairness in the election. It, however, hoped that the election process is smooth and fair.

According to an order issued by municipal secretary Siva Prasad, the election will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday. "In exercise of the powers conferred upon him under section 77(a) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, the administrator, i.e., LG is pleased to nominate Satya Sharma...to preside over the meeting to be held for the election of mayor on Thursday at 2 p.m.," the order reads.