Ward 8 in Ludhiana has been without a councillor since 2024, leaving residents without representation in the municipal corporation. The ward, which covers areas such as Model Town Extension and parts of Civil Lines, has been facing several civic issues, including poor sanitation, irregular water supply, and lack of streetlights.
Background
The position of councillor for Ward 8 fell vacant after the previous councillor resigned in early 2024. Since then, no by-election has been held to fill the vacancy, and the ward remains unrepresented. Residents have been raising concerns about the lack of accountability and the delay in addressing their grievances.
Impact on Residents
Without a councillor, residents say that their complaints are not being taken up with the municipal corporation. Many have reported that garbage is not being collected regularly, and there are frequent power cuts. The absence of a local representative has also affected the maintenance of parks and community centers in the area.
Local activists have been demanding that the municipal corporation hold a by-election at the earliest. They argue that the delay in filling the vacancy is a violation of democratic norms and is causing hardship to the people of Ward 8.
Official Response
Officials from the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation have stated that the by-election process is underway and will be completed soon. However, no specific timeline has been provided. Residents remain skeptical and continue to press for immediate action.
In the meantime, some residents have formed a temporary committee to coordinate with the corporation on urgent issues. However, they emphasize that this is not a substitute for an elected councillor.
The situation in Ward 8 highlights the importance of timely by-elections to ensure that citizens have proper representation. As the wait continues, residents hope that their voices will be heard soon.
