In the run-up to the Municipal Council elections, residents of Ward No 7 in Nabha on Monday brought all contesting candidates onto a common platform and questioned them on civic issues, transparency and accountability. The programme was organised by the ‘Sway Sewa Mohalla Sudhar Committee’ and ‘Samvad Group’ youth organisations.
Residents demanded complete transparency in the functioning of the civic body and also sought a moral commitment from candidates to resign if they failed to fulfil their promises, along the lines of the “Right to Recall”.
Congress candidate Sonia Pahuja, BJP candidate Anju Bala and AAP candidate Saroj Rani participated in the interaction. The Shiromani Akali Dal has not fielded a candidate from this ward. During the session, each candidate was given one minute to answer every question and five minutes at the end to make an appeal for votes.
Residents raised concerns regarding councillors giving in to pressure from the council president or the ruling party and exerting undue influence on those they have been elected to represent. They asked the candidates to spell out their stand on transparency in the functioning of the council. Candidates assured residents that they would make agenda notices of House meetings public, place ward-related works on the agenda after consulting residents and disclose decisions taken during meetings to the residents.
Additionally, locals questioned the candidates on civic issues such as potable water supply, drainage, stray dogs, traffic congestion and sanitation issues. They also demanded that complete details of every tender, small or big, be made public before the commencement of any work.
On the “Right to Recall", resident Sunny Raheja said that although no such legal provision existed, residents were seeking a moral undertaking from candidates that if one-third of the ward voters expressed dissatisfaction after two years, the councillor must resign voluntarily. All three candidates agreed to the proposal, describing the ‘Right to Recall’ as a democratic right of the people.
The family members of all three candidates have earlier served as councillors. During their vote appeals, the candidates highlighted works carried out during previous tenures and outlined their future plans for the ward. An open discussion was also held on the issue of distribution of liquor and drugs during elections and the demands often made by voters.
