Govt clarifies stand on civic poll rules

Explaining its proposal to bar political parties from contesting municipal elections,the state government said on Thursday that political parties were not allowed to contest elections to rural local bodies in the state.

Explaining its proposal to bar political parties from contesting municipal elections,the state government said on Thursday that political parties were not allowed to contest elections to rural local bodies in the state.

Political parties and others,however,can file objections to the proposal regarding municipal elections before it was approved by the government. Also,there was no move to introduce indirect election of mayors,the government said.

Providing the background,the government said while rules existed for the conduction of rural local body elections,no rules had been framed for municipal elections which were held under an election conduct order. Therefore,the government had decided to frame rules for conduction of municipal elections.

The proposal to debar political parties from contesting is contained in the draft rules which had been notified in the official gazette on May 11 and enough time had been given for filing objections and suggestions. The government said it would take a decision in the matter after considering all objections and suggestions filed within 30 days.

The proposal had drawn flak from the Congress,BJP and the Samajwadi Party who alleged that it was meant to help the ruling party capture the municipalities by the backdoor. They also alleged that instead of publicising the draft rules,which were notified on May 31,the government had kept these under a wrap with an ulterior motive.

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