Protests erupt as Chandigarh mayor polls deferred till Feb 6

Chandigarh's highstakes mayoral elections were deferred till February 6 in a controversial decision on Thursday after presiding officer Anil Masih reported ill, sparking protests by the Opposition that blamed the BJP of orchestrating the incident.

- Mandeep Kaur Narula

The announcement of deferment due to BJP leader Masih's poor health was announced at 10.30am just as councillors from the AAP and Congress were assembling to vote in the election at the municipal corporation (MC) office in sector 17, Chandigarh.

"It is informed that a telephonic message has been received regarding ill-health of Sh Anil Masih, who has been nominated as presiding authority for the meeting... It is requested not to reach the MC office till further orders," the order by Isha Kamboj, the joint commissioner and secretary, MC, said.