Maharashtra Municipal Elections: SEC Launches Inquiry into Unopposed Candidates

SEC Investigates Unopposed Elections Ahead of Municipal Polls

Mumbai: With only 12 days left until the elections for 29 Municipal Corporations in Maharashtra, the State Election Commission (SEC) has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the unopposed election of 69 candidates statewide.

This inquiry was prompted by the requirement for District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners to submit detailed reports regarding the elections. The SEC will review these reports before deciding whether to officially declare the candidates as elected.

Sources from the SEC indicated that they are taking the situation seriously, particularly concerning the unopposed victories declared by various political parties.

According to established regulations, a candidate's victory, even if unopposed, is only officially recognized on counting day, based on the Municipal Commissioner's report for these 29 municipal corporations. The SEC ensures that candidates have not been coerced into withdrawing their nominations.

The SEC's actions come in response to serious allegations from opposition parties, including Congress, Janata Dal (S), and AAP.

In Mumbai's Colaba (Ward ‘A’), candidates reported being unlawfully prevented from submitting their nominations or were pressured to withdraw under duress.

The SEC has instructed the Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai to review CCTV footage from the Ward ‘A’ office to confirm claims of interference.

Following the nomination withdrawal deadline on January 2, reports have been requested from Returning Officers, Municipal Commissioners, and Police Commissioners.

SEC sources stated, 'The election results for these BMC seats will remain unannounced until the investigation concludes.'

While officials may face consequences if found biased, current laws do not permit the re-filing of nominations.

This inquiry is particularly significant as the Mahayuti coalition has claimed victory in 68 out of the 69 unopposed seats in the Municipal Corporations elections in Maharashtra.

On the final day for candidate withdrawals, the BJP gained the most, with 44 candidates facing no opposition, facilitating an easy path to victory.

The BJP leads with 44 unopposed candidates out of a total of 69 in the upcoming municipal elections.

Scheduled for January 15, with counting on January 16, the elections include various municipal corporations, with a total of 69 candidates across parties running unopposed.

The BJP has the highest number of unopposed candidates at 44, followed by Shiv Sena with 22, NCP with 2, and the Islamic Party with 1.

Data from the Municipal Corporation indicates that the BJP has the most unopposed candidates in Kalyan, with 15, followed by Bhiwandi (6), Pune (2), Pimpri-Chinchwad (2), Panvel (6), Dhule (4), Jalgaon (6), and Ahilyanagar (3).

Shiv Sena has registered seven unopposed candidates in Thane, which is also the home ground of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, along with seven in Kalyan and six in Jalgaon, and two in Bhiwandi.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's NCP has secured two unopposed contests in Jalgaon.

The Islamic party has claimed the sole seat in Malegaon.