Gulmohar Enclave AOA Elections

I’m Harsh Verma, a Political Science student of Zakir Husain Delhi College, DU. For more than a year I have been trying to get my society’s association elections organised, and contest them. This is probably the first time that a 19-year-old is contesting an RWA’s election, usually dominated by the retired citizens. Legally there is a prescribed term of only one year while in our society they the incumbents exceeded the term and went on for 3 years until now. I decided to challenge this illegal occupation of power and filed a number of RTIs seeking the city administration’s response on this. On not receiving any replies I pressurised the administration to act, I went to the District Magistrate for the same, got the story covered in local media channels. Compelled by this activism, the administration revealed the date of appointment of an election officer in Jan irrespective of the fact that election officer was appointed in October itself. It was City Rozgar Officer, Mr. Sashi Bhushan Upadhyay who had also conducted the election 3 years ago when the existing office bearer assumed power and a number of allegations were made of unfair elections. Also, I discovered about this appointment after a number of attempts when I went to the City Magistrate court myself and protested for our society’s file (attached copy) alone. I made this report viral among the residents of my society and the residents were equally shocked. Later when he delayed the elections further, City Magistrate was made the Main Election Officer and the present officer was made his assistant in the elections.

Then the City Magistrate delayed it unnecessarily and responded by saying this wasn’t the only task on his hands! When it got further delayed I decided to file complaints against him at all the levels within my reach, as a result of which he was transferred and an enquiry has been initiated against him. (Media reports attached)

Recently a new city magistrate was appointed and now we have found new troubles. We are told that since we are not the owners of our flats, we can’t contest the elections despite there being no such legal provision.  Our nomination forms have been cancelled. Out of 32, 17 forms have been cancelled without any reasonable justification of any criteria or law.

I made a team of 8 consisting homemakers and well-educated youth to contest these elections to make our society better. I suspect these obstructions are only to prevent us from occupying offices which have been exploited for corrupt intentions in the past. We are going to challenge this decision tomorrow, and carry on the fight. I ask for your support in this struggle of mine for youth participation in politics.

Attached with this mail are some campaign materials and documents to give you a clear idea of myself and the cause.

Regards,