Poll panel bars MIM from Mumbai local elections
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Election Commission decided on Wednesday to deregister 191 political parties, including the All India Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), and barred them from contesting the local body elections in the state for failing to submit income tax returns.
AIMIM legislator Imtiyaz Jaleel said the civic body elections were important for the party. “We had received a notice four months ago from the election commission asking us for some documents. We had complied the very next day. We will first take this order and file an appeal,” Jaleel told HT.
The Hyderabad-based party led by its chief Asaduddin Owaisi will be deprived of the election symbol of its choice. The party symbol was ‘kite’. Owaisi said the party would appeal against the panel. He admitted that there were lapses on their part. Most parties who have lost registration are smaller ones except a few such as AIMIM, Republican Party of India (Democratic) and Republican Party of India (Khobragade).
“Our today’s order is related to registration only. Those got registered with us get priority in getting party symbol for contenting polls. After this, they will not get any priority in the allotment of (the) symbol,” state election commissioner JS Saharia confirmed.
He said these political parties have to follow certain procedures. They have to submit certain documents such at IT returns and annual audit report every year to continue registration.