Election commission recommends disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs

The Election Commission (EC) is learnt to have recommended to the President the disqualification of 20 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit.

In its opinion sent to President Ram Nath Kovind, the EC said by being parliament secretaries, they held office of profit and were liable to be disqualified as MLAs of the Delhi Assembly highly placed sources said. The President is bound to go by the recommendation of the Commission.In case where petitions are made seeking disqualification of lawmakers, the President sends a reference to the Election Commission which decides on the case by sending back its opinion. In the present case, the petition was made to disqualify 21 MLAs, but one had resigned a 5 months back.There however was no official word from the Commission. When contacted, chief election commissioner (CEC) A. K. Joti said since the matter is sub judice he would not offer any comment on the issue.