Former Delhi Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, a 1980 batch IAS officer has been appointed as the State's new Election Commissioner. He will succeed Rakesh Mehta, a 1975 batch IAS officer, who will retire on November 28. Srivastava will hold the office for a term of six years from the date on which he assumes charge or till he attains the age of 65 years.
The State Election Commission in Delhi conducts MCD polls in Delhi and Chandigarh while the Election Commission of India holds the State Assembly elections.
Srivastava is currently posted as Secretary-Coordination, Cabinet Secretariat. He is also handling the additional charge as Chairperson, National Authority for Chemicals Weapons Convention (NACWC).
“The lieutenant-Governor of the national Capital Territory of Delhi is pleased to appoint Srivastava as Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of the national Capital Territory of Delhi on November 28 for the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for and conduct of all elections to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi,” the notification said.
The SEC is currently busy in finalising draft report of delimitation of municipal wards for the coming municipal polls next year. Sources said the draft report is at final stage and it is expected by mid November. The draft has been put up in public domain for suggestions and objections. A total of 650 objections have been received and it will take at least one month to finalise the delimitation exercise, which will have a great impact on the upcoming municipal election of 2017. The municipal poll of 2017 will see a major contest among the three big parties — AAP, BJP and Congress.
As per draft, there is only one constituency Matiala, which will have seven wards, the most in the entire city. Constituencies like Mundka, Burari, Badarpur and Vikaspuri will have six wards each and nine other constituencies will have 5 wards each. These nine constituencies include Narela, Badli, Rithala, Kirari, Uttam Nagar, Najafgarh, Bijwasan, Okhla and Deoli. Presently, every constituency has four wards.
As per guidelines, Average population of each ward is to be 60,000 with a variation of 10 per cent to 15 per cent approximately. A Colony or slum cluster would be kept within a ward so that there is no division thereof between wards.