The ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra has claimed victory in 68 seats across various municipal corporations even before voters head to the polls on January 15, as its candidates faced no opposition. However, the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has stepped in, seeking detailed reports from local officials to ensure the process was free from coercion or foul play.
Scrutiny Over Unopposed Wins
In light of the high number of uncontested seats, the election watchdog has initiated a verification process. A senior SEC official explained the protocol: "As per rules, in cases of unopposed victory, we seek a report from the Returning Officer or the District Collector to ensure no force or any other means were used to intimidate other candidates from contesting."
The official emphasized that the victories are not yet official. Only after the commission receives and reviews the report, followed by a final announcement, will the corporator be declared duly elected. This move comes amid allegations from opposition parties, who have raised concerns about the use of force and money power leading to these uncontested races.
Party-Wise Breakdown of Seats
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leads the tally with the highest number of candidates who won without a contest. The detailed distribution is as follows:
- BJP: 44 candidates total. This includes 15 in Kalyan, 6 in Bhiwandi, 2 each in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, 6 in Panvel, 4 in Dhule, 6 in Jalgaon, and 3 in Ahilyanagar.
- Shiv Sena: 22 candidates. The party saw 7 unopposed wins in Thane (the home turf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde), 2 in Bhiwandi, 7 in Kalyan, and 6 in Jalgaon.
- NCP (Ajit Pawar faction): 2 candidates, both in Jalgaon.
- Islamic Party: 1 candidate, in Malegaon.
Next Steps and Political Implications
The SEC's decision to scrutinize these wins adds a layer of caution to the electoral process. While the Mahayuti alliance celebrates these early gains, the final seal of approval rests with the election commission's findings. The outcome of this review will be crucial, especially with the main polling for the municipal corporations scheduled for January 3, 2026. This development underscores the intense political dynamics at play in Maharashtra's local body elections, where even unopposed victories are subject to rigorous official checks to uphold democratic integrity.
