Maharashtra Election Commission Set to Announce Local Poll Dates Amid Opposition Concerns

The Maharashtra Election Commission is poised to announce the dates for the BMC and local body elections, amidst rising concerns from opposition parties regarding the integrity of the voter list. Senior NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil has stirred controversy by suggesting potential election dates, despite no official confirmation from the Election Commission. With allegations of fake names in the voter list, the Shiv Sena (UBT) plans to challenge the process in court. This announcement comes as the Supreme Court has mandated that overdue local elections must be completed by January 31, 2026. Stay tuned for the official announcement and further developments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 4, 2025, 13:22 IST

Upcoming Announcement of Local Body Election Dates

The Maharashtra Election Commission is expected to reveal the dates for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other local body elections on Tuesday at 4 PM. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare will hold a press conference in Mumbai regarding this announcement. This development comes at a time when opposition parties are demanding a postponement of the elections, citing irregularities in the voter list dated July 1, which allegedly includes fake names. In response, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has indicated plans to approach the court with evidence. However, election officials have stated that once the election dates are announced, it would be challenging for the court to intervene.

NCP Leader Sparks Controversy with Election Date Claims

On November 3, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dilip Walse Patil stirred controversy by announcing potential dates for the long-awaited local body and municipal elections in Maharashtra, despite the Election Commission not yet making an official declaration. Walse Patil, part of the BJP-led Mahayuti government under Ajit Pawar's leadership, suggested that district council elections might take place on December 15, with municipal elections following on January 15. He also mentioned that the Supreme Court has set a deadline of January 31, 2026, for conducting these overdue local body elections. In a viral video, he reiterated that the entire election process for local bodies and municipalities would be completed before the end of January.