Ruling BJP and opposition Congress and Indian National Lok Dal—will test political waters as they take on each other in the crucial elections to five municipal corporations on December 16 in the state.
The municipal elections would be a litmus test for the political parties to gauge the voters’ mood ahead of Lok Sabha and assembly polls scheduled to be held next year in Haryana.
It would be for the first time that direct election to the post of Mayor would be held in five civic bodies namely Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat and Hisar in the state.
As many as 1401157 voters including 746126 males, 655021 females and 10 transgender would exercise their franchise in these elections.
The December 16 polls would be a popularity test for the Manohar Lal Khattar led BJP Government, which has recently completed its four years term in Haryana. It would also be a key test for the main opposition party—Indian National Lok Dal—which has split and the Congress, which is suffering from the infighting.
The political parties have announced to contest the municipal polls on their symbol.
Making announcement of civic body polls here, State Election Commissioner, Dilip Singh on Thursday said that general elections of seats of Mayor and members of all wards of five Municipal Corporations including Hisar, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Karnal and of two Municipal committees including Jakhal Mandi (Fatehabad) and Pundri (Kaithal) would be held on December 16.
The model code of conduct in respect of these municipal elections has come into force from November 22. The officer or official connected with the election work would not be transferred till the completion of election process, Singh said while talking to the mediapersons here.
Political observers say, “The civic polls to be held in December will set the tone for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The polls is seen as a prestige issue for the ruling BJP, which is facing public anger over deteriorating law and order situation among other issues. If the ruling BJP manages a victory, it would definitely be seen as a stamp of approval to the functioning of the Manohar Lal Khattar Government.”
“On the other hand, the INLD which has split after the expulsion of party chief OP Chautala’s elder son Ajay Chautala and the faction-ridden Haryana Congress, also face a tough test to prove their mass base in civic polls,” they say.
Following the announcement of municipal polls, Subhash Barala, Haryana BJP chief said that the BJP will be contesting these elections on its symbol.
The party is prepared for the polls. These polls will be significant as it is being held before parliamentary and assembly polls in Haryana, he added.
Abhay Singh Chautala, Leader of opposition in Haryana Assembly and INLD’s senior leader said that the party is ready for the polls and will contest on its symbol. Reacting on split in INLD, Chautala said that the INLD is in a strong position and would win the polls.
Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar said that in five Municipal Corporations and two Municipal Committees where the elections are going to be held, the Congress will appoint incharge to supervise it. A party meeting will be held shortly to decide the line of action of the Congress, he said.
NOTA TO BE FICTIONAL CANDIDATE IN POLLS
“For the first time in the country, NOTA (none of the above) will be treated as a ‘fictional electoral candidate’ while declaring the results. In case, all the contesting candidates individually receive lesser vote than NOTA, then none of the contesting candidate will be declared as elected and fresh election shall be held,” said Dalip Singh, state Election Commissioner.
No candidate shall be eligible to file his nomination in the fresh election if he was contesting the previous ones where NOTA get highest votes, he said.
The State Election Commissioner also said that 531 candidates of last election in 2013 have been disqualified for a period of five years as they failed to submit details of election expenditure within a period of 30 days.
Responding to a query related to the implementation of model code of conduct, he said that the code of conduct is effective within the limits of Municipal Corporations and committees, where the polls would be held and not the entire district.
