Begin typing your search...
File petition on mayor polls, will hear it: HC
The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court said it would take up the issue of indirect elections ordinance, if it was filed as petition. A Division Bench of Justices TS Sivagnanam and R Tharani gave this instruction when a group of advocates, led by Neelamegam, sought the bench to repeal the government’s recent ordinance on Thursday.
Madurai
While the State Election Commission is gearing up to conduct local body elections in Tamil Nadu after reviewing preparedness with District Collectors, the state government on Wednesday promulgated an ordinance for holding indirect elections for mayors of municipal corporations and chairpersons of municipalities.
Neelamegam, the advocate, argued that the ordinance was against the Representation of the People Act, 1951 since legal procedures had not been followed by the government. Opposing the government’s move, the group of advocates sought the bench to repeal the ordinance.
It would undoubtedly tempt candidates to indulge in horse trading and such candidates would serve no good, they said.
Moreover, the state government ahead of local body elections made an announcement that property tax would not be increased. Such announcement was aimed at facing the polls and seemed to garner votes in its favour. Citing these, Neelamegam sought the bench to accord urgent priority in this case and repeal the ordinance.
After the hearing, the justices said that the Bench would take up the issue, if it was filed as a petition.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android
Next Story