The Cuttack City (Dist) Congress Committee has urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to hold election to the CMC Chairman post, which has remained vacant following resignation of Anita Behera since December 29, at the earliest.
A memorandum submitted to the commission complained that the Municipal Commissioner has failed in performing his statutory duty to intimate about the vacancy forthwith to the SEC, which is a need under the Odisha Municipal Corporation Act.
“The Act warrants that the vacancy to a Mayor post has to be filled up by the Election Commission as soon as possible. But the Municipal Commissioner is yet to inform you about the vacancy,” said the memorandum signed by committee president Mohammad Moquim and five others.
They further apprised the Election Commissioner that the post, which is reserved for a Scheduled Caste woman, is currently held by a male Corporator belonging to the OBC category. “This is constitutionally impermissible and is against the larger interest of the weaker section of the society, especially women and the Scheduled Caste. Hence, we request you to take prompt action at the earliest to avoid any future legal and constitutional controversy,” they demanded.