Polls to elect CMC chiefs on Jan 22

Section 144 will be clamped on January 22 to prevent untoward incidents during elections for the posts of president and vice-president of City Municipal Council (CMC).

Assistant Commissioner Dr M R Ravi, who is also the election officer, told reporters that a letter has been sent urging the Superintendent of Police to take precautionary measures for the smooth conduct of election. “I had requested the Deputy Commissioner to promulgate Section 144 following the untoward incidents that took place in the special council meet on December 22. The DC has directed me to take action and accordingly I have taken initiatives to clamp Section 144,” he added.

The special meet to hold elections will begin at the Municpal Council Hall on January 22 at 11 am. Council members, MLAs, MLCs and MP have been asked to be present at the meet on time. Nomination papers for the posts of president and vice-president will be received till 11 am. Scrutiny will be held between 11 am and 11.15 am and candidates can withdraw their nominations from 11.15 am to 11.30 am. Election will be conducted, if required, at 11.30 am, he said adding that members will elect the chiefs by raising their hands.

Election, which was scheduled to be conducted on December 22, was postponed to January 10. However, the election could not be conducted on January 10 and it was postponed again for January 22.

It can be recalled that Section 144 was in force on January 10 and the police had beefed up security measures.

Political drama

In a dramatic development, the Congress - JD(S) coalition candidate H M Nandakumar has joined the BJP. Meanwhile, JD(S) member Ashraf has promised to extend his support to the BJP. There are possibilities that another member of the JD(S) Ashrafunnisa too will extend her support to the BJP. Congress member K G Harish had already joined hands with the BJP. Altogether, leaders in the Congress - JD(S) coalition have no hopes of securing power in the municipality. According to sources, H M Nandakumar, who joined BJP recently, may become the president.