WE NEED TO START A MASS MOVEMENT’

WE NEED TO START A MASS MOVEMENT’
With the apex court order on Thursday likely to delay BBMP elections further, TOI spoke to residents and other stakeholders
Resident Welfare Associations were probably the most enthusiastic about the elections, and now, they are the most disappointed. Members react to Thursday’s big news from Delhi.


It looks like elections to the BBMP will be a unique election in the history of our country. Bangaloreans are not sure of elections till they cast their votes and results are declared. It is unfortunate that many candidates have started campaigning and the media has started discussions in anticipation of polls, but the unanswered question is: when will elections be held? It would be good if our government and State Election Commission put an end to this confusion.
N Mukund | CITIZEN ACTION FORUM
It is most disappointing. We had thought that after three-and-ahalf years, the elections would finally be held. We definitely need local corporators and citizens should take up cudgels because it is against the Constitution. We need to take up the matter, hold a protest. We want elections. There is no reason for putting them off. A mass movement across the city is needed and people must get together and demand elections.
Meenakshi Bharath | SECRETARY,
MALLESWARAM SWABHIMANA INITIATIVE
The truth is that MLAs do not want corporators to be elected. If corporators are not there, politicians will wield more power and get bigger cuts in funds. They don’t want to give power to corporators. The government itself cannot get the elections postponed so they it is doing it in a de facto manner.
N S Ramakanth | FORMER PRESIDENT,
KUMARA PARK WEST RWA
Ireally don’t know what to make of it. It has come as a bit of a shock now. We were working on a lot of things to get people to register and to create awareness among them to come out and vote. But as and when the elections happen, I hope they will lead to some betterment in our area.
Joseph Meneaud | PRESIDENT,
RICHARD’S TOWN RESIDENT ASSOCIATION
My focus was on getting more independent candidates to contest this time and I was not following the court case thoroughly. But being a democratic country, there should not be any undue postponing of elections. It is not fair to further delay polls, if not for some unavoidable reasons. I firmly believe that this time there were no unavoidable reasons for postponing the elections.
S R Venkatram | MEMBER, BP WADIA ROAD, BASAVANAGUDI RWA
It is a huge disappointment for us. In a democracy, we need someone to represent us. This postponement of elections is not a good thing and may affect development in many areas. We were expecting a lot of reforms too.
B S Ananthram | MEMBER, KORAMANGALA ST BED RESIDENT WELFARE ASSOCIATION
STORY SO FAR
BBMP has had an administrator since 2006 Last elections held in 2001 2006: Petition filed in HC on holding elections FEBRUARY 2007: Judgment reserved JULY 2008: Court gives three months to hold elections NOVEMBER 10, 2008: Court seeks time till March 10, 2009 JUNE 1, 2009: As Parliamentary elections were scheduled, court permitted two more months SEPTEMBER 17, 2009: Court says election schedule should be announced on or before October 23 OCTOBER 1, 2009: July 21 guidelines on reservation of wards stayed OCTOBER 29, 2009: Decks cleared for elections with reservation guidelines stayed earlier being upheld by court NOVEMBER 16, 2009: HC asks state to announce ward-wise reservation list by November 30, and SEC to notify election schedule before December 7 NOVEMBER 30, 2009: Reservation list for 198 wards announced DECEMBER 7, 2009: State Election Commission announces poll schedule
WHAT WAS ON THE CARDS?
BBMP elections slated to be held on February 21, 2010 Polling was to take place from 7 am to 5 pm at 6,598 stations This was to be first BBMP elections to use Electronic Voting Machines There were supposed to be serial numbers in Braille too, again a first for BBMP elections
ELECTION SCHEDULE
JAN 15-FEB 25: Election code of conduct in effect FEB 8: Last date for candidates to file nomination FEB 9: Scrutiny of nominations FEB 11: Last date to withdraw nomination FEB 21: Polling between 7 am and 5 pm FEB 24, 8 AM ONWARDS: Counting and results FEB 25: Election ends