Final Phase of Maharashtra Local Body Polls Underway for 23 Councils

Polling is underway on Saturday for the posts of president and members in municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra, marking the final phase of the state’s ongoing local body elections.

According to the State Election Commission (SEC), voting is being held for presidents and members in 23 municipal councils and nagar panchayats. Elections are also being conducted simultaneously for 143 vacant member posts in other municipal councils and nagar panchayats. Counting of votes for all these elections will be held on December 21.

Polling for 263 local bodies took place on December 2, while voting in the remaining councils and nagar panchayats is being conducted on Saturday. According to PTI, today’s polling covers elections in 24 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, along with voting for 154 seats across 76 local bodies.

The State Election Commission has put heightened security measures in place to ensure smooth and peaceful polling and counting. Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare on Wednesday directed district administrations and police authorities to take strict preventive measures to maintain law and order.

Waghmare issued the instructions during video conferences held over the past two days with district collectors, police commissioners, superintendents of police and election officers. State Election Commission secretary Suresh Kakani, Inspector General of Police Manojkumar Sharma and other senior officials also participated in the review meetings.

The SEC said polling and counting must be conducted “smoothly and peacefully,” warning that any untoward incident would invite immediate and strict action, PTI reported. Authorities were also asked to promptly inform the media, voters, candidates and political parties about steps taken to prevent misinformation or misperceptions.

Inspector General Sharma stressed that adequate security arrangements must be ensured on polling and counting days and emphasised the need for timely communication of police action to the public.