BRS urges SEC to follow law in vogue for notifying ex-officio members

HYDERABAD

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) requested the State Election Commission to modify or withdraw the circular fixing February 14 as the cut-off date for furnishing details of ex-officio members for chairperson/vice-chairperson/mayor/deputy mayor elections scheduled on February 16 and instead notify the cut-off date as February 15.

In a representation made to the SEC on Saturday, general secretary of BRS Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy along with the party’s legal cell members, brought to the former’s notice that as per the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019, and Rule framed under it, at least one clear day be given in advance for issuing Form-II notifying the ex-officio members for the election of municipal chairperson/vice-chairperson/mayor/deputy mayor.

As the special meetings of the urban local bodies (ULBs) for which elections were held recently is scheduled at 12.30 pm on February 16, the principle of one clear day — the lawful outer limit for issuance of Form-II (by the political parties), the limit should be up to 12.30 pm on February 15 for furnishing the details.

However, the internal circular issued to the field officers directed them to complete the process of furnishing Form-II by the parties by February 14. It was premature, contrary to the statute and likely to prejudice the rights of elected representatives and ex-officio members, Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy said in the representation.

Stating that such instructions were inconsistent with the mandatory requirement of one clear day and might vitiate the entire election process, exposing the proceedings to avoidable legal challenge, he requested the SEC to take urgent action in the interest of fairness, transparency and compliance with statutory provisions.