Authorities to monitor RWA functioning in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad after several complaints

Authorities in the National Capital Region have started intervening in the functioning of Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Apartment Owners’ Associations (AOAs) after several complaints that governing bodies continued in office beyond their mandated tenure. The deputy registrar (firms, societies and chits) department said it will now supervise elections directly in societies where polls have not been held for years, a TOI report stated.

Complaints of delayed elections trigger action

Residents from several housing societies had approached authorities claiming that RWA office-bearers remained in power even after completing the prescribed two-year term. In some societies, elections were not conducted for more than five to six years.

Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad together have more than 1,000 registered RWAs and AOAs. These bodies manage daily affairs in housing societies, including maintenance, security and common facilities. However, disputes related to leadership, finances and decision-making have also emerged in several societies.


"In the last eight months, elections were conducted in around 30 societies in Noida and 20 in Ghaziabad after our intervention," said Vaibhav Kumar, deputy registrar for the two districts. "In several cases, the RWAs had overstayed their tenure for years."

Department to supervise polls where needed

RWAs and AOAs usually organise their own elections and inform the registrar’s office after a new governing body is formed. However, if disputes arise or polls are delayed repeatedly, the department can supervise the election process and appoint an independent observer.

Officials said such interventions have already taken place in multiple societies.

At Supertech Capetown, elections were conducted after a gap of five years. In Greater Noida, residents in Gaur Homes and Beta-2 sector held polls after more than seven years. In Alpha-1 sector, residents recently complained to the district administration that elections had not taken place for nearly 15 years.

Harinder Bhati of the Active Citizens Team, a residents’ group, said attempts to conduct elections in Alpha-1 had failed earlier. "Every time elections are about to take place, the incumbent body creates pressure and the process gets stalled. We have urged the administration to ensure polls are held this year," he said.

Authorities preparing list of societies with overdue polls

Officials said they are compiling a list of societies where elections are pending. Once finalised, authorities will conduct elections according to the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Apartment Act and the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

Under the law, members of an AOA governing body can remain in office only for two consecutive years.

Earlier audit identified gaps in election timelines

The current move follows an audit conducted by the district administration last year to prepare a database of housing societies in Noida and Greater Noida. The exercise recorded details of governing bodies and the dates when their last elections were held. Societies that had crossed their tenure were asked to begin the election process.

In Ghaziabad, authorities also set up a committee to examine disputes involving RWAs and AOAs after complaints increased during public hearings.

Residents had reported issues including delayed elections, alleged misconduct by office-bearers, maintenance problems in common areas, lift failures and misuse of authority.

Officials said the supervised elections aim to improve transparency in the functioning of RWAs and AOAs and ensure that these bodies remain accountable to residents.

(Source: TOI)