In the upcoming elections for urban local bodies, independent candidates and ex-officio members are expected to play a key role in deciding who becomes the Mayor or Chairperson in hung municipalities. A “hung” body is one where no single party has a clear majority.
Only those Rajya Sabha members and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) who are registered voters within the limits of the concerned municipality or municipal corporation will be eligible to be co-opted as ex-officio members. These members can vote in the Mayor or Chairperson elections, giving them significant influence in closely contested bodies.
Political analysts say the support of independents and ex-officio members could determine the final outcome in several urban councils, especially where parties have nearly equal numbers of elected representatives. Party negotiations and alliances are expected to intensify in the coming days as the election date approaches.
This process highlights the growing importance of non-party members in local governance decisions.
