MCD polls: Three-hour extension for filing nominations on April 3

New Delhi: In view of no nominations being filed for the MCD polls today being a holiday, the Delhi State Election Commission has extended time for filing nominations by three hours on last date April 3.

The nomination papers will be filed by candidates from 11 AM to 6 PM on Monday. The process was scheduled to close at 3 PM earlier.

The Election Commission took this decision as per Delhi Municipal Corporation (Election of Councilors) Rules 2012, after receiving requests from BJP and Aam Aadmi Party.

A delegation of Delhi BJP went to meet the Election Commission official in this regard, while a petition was also filed by AAP for consideration of extending the date or time of nomination.

State Election Commissioner S K Srivastava exercising his powers under DMC Act 1957 directed for extending the hours for filing nomination papers.

The State Election Commission order has directed all the returning officers to issue coupons with seal and signature to arriving at their offices up to 6 PM on April 3 and allow them to present their papers and issue them receipts after accepting it.

The process of filing nominations has been affected for two days due to consecutive holidays including today and tomorrow (Sunday).

The extension of three hours on final day of nomination is likely to have a little respite for the candidates specially those of BJP and Congress as both the parties are yet to come out with list of their candidates.

Monday is expected to witness a mad rush of candidates to complete lengthy paper work and complete formalities required for filing nominations as offices will open after two days of closure.

Besides BJP and Congress, candidates from BSP, Samajwadi Party, JD(U) and other small parties will also file nominations on the last day. Also, there will likely be a large number of independents filing nominations.

However, AAP, which is contesting the MCD polls in a big way to assert its political dominance, has already announced all its 272 candidates. Some of its candidates have filed nominations, while many are yet to do so.