In the context of a Municipal Corporation, Aldermen are:

Aldermen are persons nominated to a Municipal Corporation or Municipality because of their special knowledge or experience in municipal administration.

Constitutional provision:

• Article 243R, added by the 74th Amendment, allows the state legislature to provide by law for the representation in municipalities of persons having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration.
• These nominated persons are known as aldermen in many states.

Voting rights:

• Aldermen can take part in the proceedings of the municipality, but they do not have the right to vote in its meetings.
• This ensures that decisions are made by the elected representatives, while the municipality benefits from expert advice.

Origin of the term:

• The word "alderman" comes from Old English, meaning an "elder man".
• In Britain and the United States, aldermen have historically been senior members of local councils.

Other members of a municipality under Article 243R:

• Members of the Lok Sabha and the state Legislative Assembly representing constituencies that include all or part of the municipal area.
• Members of the Rajya Sabha and the state Legislative Council registered as electors in the municipal area.
• Chairpersons of committees, such as wards committees.
• Such members may take part in proceedings and, depending on state law, vote in some cases.

Elected members:

• The councillors, also called corporators, are directly elected from territorial constituencies called wards.
• Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.

Controversy in Delhi:

• In 2023, the Supreme Court held that aldermen nominated to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi cannot vote in the election of its presiding officers.
• Later, the Court held that the Union-appointed administrator of Delhi can nominate aldermen without the advice of the Delhi government.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Elected councillors are chosen by voters, not nominated.
• ✗Officers appointed by the state government, such as the Commissioner, are not aldermen.
• ✗Members of the state legislature may be ex officio members but are not called aldermen.