Gurugram: The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) is set to convene its sixth House meeting on May 11. However, uncertainty persists over whether elections for the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor will be conducted during this session.
Uncertainty Over Election Schedule
A councillor, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “There is currently no clarity on whether the polls will be held in this meeting or not. However, the notification for the meeting came on Tuesday.” The elections were deferred on April 30 after Mayor Raj Rani Malhotra failed to attend a special House meeting, citing medical reasons. Her absence stalled the election process, as the Mayor’s presence is mandatory for conducting proceedings, according to officials.
Legal Mandate and Background
The elections, pending for more than a year, were scheduled following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This came after a petition highlighted the prolonged vacancy in the two posts. The civic body is required to elect a senior deputy mayor and a deputy mayor from among elected councillors under Section 36(2) of the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act.
According to Section 71(2) of the Haryana Municipal Corporation Election Rules, 1994, “The commissioner shall, within a period of sixty days of the notification of the names of the members elected to the corporation, convene a meeting of the corporation at 48 hours’ notice to be delivered at the ordinary place of residence of members. The notice shall clearly state that the election of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor shall be held in this meeting to be presided over by the mayor in the presence of the commissioner.”
Preparations Underway
MCG officials confirmed that the agenda for the House meeting is being prepared and will be circulated in the coming days. The outcome of the meeting remains to be seen, as stakeholders await clarity on whether the elections will proceed.
