Mumbai More than 25 municipal corporation elections have been postponed in many districts of Maharashtra. Voting has been rescheduled to December 20 after irregularities in the appeal process at these places. However, in all other city councils and nagar panchayats, voting will be held on December 2 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. The results will be declared after 10 am on December 3.
The State Election Commission (SEC) has stopped the ongoing municipal election process in many areas of Maharashtra, and extended the voting date from December 2 to December 20. The sudden move surprised candidates and political parties, especially as the campaign entered its final, high-intensity phase. According to the SEC’s instructions, this ban is applicable on the municipal councils and nagar panchayats of about twenty districts including Thane (Ambernath), Baramati, Amravati, Ahilyanagar, Nanded, Solapur, Yavatmal, Dharashiv, Chandrapur, Akola and Pune.
This decision has been taken due to large scale processing errors related to the appeals of candidates whose nomination papers were rejected. Under the Maharashtra Municipal Election Rules, 1966, all such appeals must be disposed of by November 22, giving candidates three days to withdraw their names, after which the symbols will be distributed.
However, this sequence was broken in many affected bodies. Symbols were distributed before appeal decisions were finalized, some appeal orders arrived late, and in some cases, appeals were still pending while officials were busy preparing final candidate lists and confirming symbols.
Finding these violations to be serious and legally wrong, the SEC said that the election process in these wards had violated essential procedures. In its order dated November 29, the Commission directed that wherever such irregularities were found, they should be stopped immediately. Only specific wards or, where necessary, the entire municipal body including the post of President will follow the updated schedule. The commission also pulled up the election officials for ignoring the laid down rules despite clear guidelines.
CM Devendra Fadnavis has expressed his displeasure over the postponement of more than 25 municipal corporation elections. He has criticized the State Election Commission for suddenly postponing some Municipal Council and Gram Panchayat elections. He said, “Postponing the elections just a day before voting is completely wrong.
He said the State Election Commission, though autonomous, had misinterpreted the law and its understanding of the rules did not allow such circumvention. This is a wrong decision. Due to the sudden decision, the hard work of the candidates’ campaign went in vain. Now voting was to take place tomorrow and now you have made him campaign for another 20 days. This is not right. Now whatever is the order. It will be followed but we will give a representation to the Election Commission. Even though the commission is independent, it is not right to take decisions like this.