Suspension of voting rights of ex-officio members sought

Hyderabad: The High Court division bench on Thursday heard a plea filed by ex MLA and social activist Anil Kumar from Nizamabad seeking a direction to suspend the operation of Section 90(1) of the GHMC Act.

The petitioner contended that the said section of the GHMC Act empowers the ex-officio members of GHMC as voters for the election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the electoral college of MPs, MLCs and MLAs.

There are 55 ex-officio members, who can exercise their votes in the present GHMC elections which will play a key role in the election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The 55 ex-officio members, picking up Mayor and Deputy Mayor, will defeat the very purpose of holding GHMC elections, contended the petitioner seeking suspension of Section 90(1) of the GHMC Act.

The bench while issuing notices to the State government, State Election Commission and GHMC to file a counter, adjourned the matter to January 4.