Municipal elections in India
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Municipal Corporation elections are conducted to elect municipal councillors and ward representatives for municipal corporations in India. With the enactment of the 74th Constitution Amendment Act in the Constitution of India, the city municipal corporations were identified as 'institutions of self-government'. With India being a democratic country, elections are the only medium for people to elect governments of their choice.
History and administration
[edit]Municipal corporation elections constitute one tier of India's three-tier governance system.[1] These elections are open to both men and women candidates.[2] On average, voter turnout in municipal elections is estimated to be around 52%.[3]
Constitutional compulsions
[edit]The electoral system within urban local bodies (ULB) was fortified through the 74th Constitutional Amendment.[4] This Amendment Act officially designated municipal corporations as 'institutions of self-government'.[3]
Planning body
[edit]Municipal corporation elections are conducted under the supervision of the State Election Commission.[5][6] The State Election Commission is an independent body[7] and consists of individual members who have served as bureaucrats at the state and national level with high reputation, integrity and values.[8]
Qualifications for contesting
[edit]Qualification for contesting municipal corporation elections in India:[9]
- Citizen of India.
- Has attained the age of 21 years.
- Registered in ward electoral roll.
- Not disqualified under any law for contesting municipal elections.
- Not employed by any municipal corporation in India.
Important rulings
[edit]- Municipal corporation elections in Tamil Nadu should not be delayed was the Supreme Court ruling to Tamil Nadu State Election Commission.[10]
- Municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra are directed to be conducted under a single-member electoral panel as per the direction of State Election Commission.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "The importance of municipal elections". Reachladakh. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Arora, Subhash C.; Prabhakar, R. K. (1997). "A Study of Municipal Council Elections in India: Socioeconomic Background of Women Candidates in Rohtak, Haryana". Asian Survey. pp. 918–926. doi:10.2307/2645613.
- ^ a b "GHMC polls: Why do citizens not care about municipal elections?". The News Minute. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "A dive into the journey of Panchayati Raj Institutions | IDR". India Development Review. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Local Body Election Process in India". Political Corner. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Civic polls should not be held in a way that will benefit a particular party, Cal HC tells State Election Commission". telegraphindia.com. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Profile - Local Government - Know India: National Portal of India". knowindia.india.gov.in. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Poll position: On SC order on local body elections". The Hindu. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Municipal Corporation - Functions, Roles, Members Qualification and Term". www.elections.in. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ^ "SC directs TNSEC to hold local body elections in 9 new districts by Sep 15". Business Standard India. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "2022 local body polls to be under one-member electoral panel; begin delimitation process: State EC to civic bodies". The Indian Express. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
