PUNE/MUMBAI, 10 NOV. The election fervor has officially begun in Maharashtra, as the process for filing nomination forms for candidates for 246 Municipal Councils (Nagar Parishads) and 42 Nagar Panchayats started this Monday. These polls, which were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are being held following a directive from the Supreme Court. The first phase of voting will be conducted for a total of 6,859 seats across 242 Municipal Councils and 46 Nagar Panchayats. Furthermore, the chairpersons (Nagaradhyaksha) of 288 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats will be elected through a direct ballot. The elections will cover 236 old municipal bodies and 10 newly established ones, totaling 246.
The voting system varies by body: Municipal Councils will follow a two-member ward system, where voters will cast three votes—one for the chairperson and two for the ward members. Nagar Panchayats, however, will use a one-member ward system, requiring voters to cast two votes—one for the chairperson and one for the member. A key feature of these elections is the decentralization of alliance decisions. Neither the ruling Mahayuti nor the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has formalized a state-level alliance, with all major political parties empowering their local units to decide on pacts. This flexibility is expected to lead to some unconventional alliances on the ground, as state-level agreements can often lead to fewer seats for constituents and internal dissent. For instance, reports suggest an agreement for the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP and the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena to contest together in Karjat, Raigad district, though not on official party symbols. Additionally, the recent controversy surrounding Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, and his land deal, is likely to be a significant campaign issue, particularly impacting the 17 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in the Pune district. The schedule for the elections is set, with the last date for filing nominations being November 17, and the deadline for withdrawing applications on November 21. Polling is scheduled for December 2, with the counting of votes taking place the following day, on December 3.
