NEW DELHI: Noting that the appointment of politically-affiliated people as chairperson/ mayors in municipal bodies of West Bengal after the end of their elected terms could disturb the level playing field in the ongoing assembly poll, EC on Saturday restrained such “political appointees” from participating in or exercising the functions of the board of administrators during the period of model code of conduct (MCC), reports Bharti Jain.
It asked a panel headed by the state chief secretary to appoint government officials to discharge the functions of the administrators/board of administrators during the election process.EC, in an order issued on Saturday, said the continued discharge of critical functions of urban local bodies by a person with political leanings in favour of any party, may put the process of free and fair elections in peril.
The EC, in the order, cited the list of members of board of administrators in municipal corporations of Kolkata, Asansol, Bidhan Nagar all affiliated with TMC; and Siliguri, affiliated with Left parties. The appointment of these politically-affiliated ‘nominated’; administrators happened just before or after the end of elected terms of the municipal corporations. Interestingly, some of these nominated members are even contesting in the current assembly polls. A compliance of the order has been sought by 10am on Monday.