In an unprecedented development just weeks before the scheduled municipal elections, a significant number of candidates from Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance have secured victories without a contest. The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has now stepped in, putting these declarations on hold and demanding detailed reports from local authorities to ensure the process was free from intimidation or foul play.
SEC Scrutiny Over Unopposed Wins
On Saturday, January 4, 2026, the SEC announced it was seeking verification reports for the 69 seats across various municipal corporations where candidates were elected unopposed. This action comes less than two weeks before the polls are set to be held on January 15. A senior SEC official clarified the procedure, stating that in cases of unopposed victory, the commission mandates a report from the Returning Officer or District Collector. The purpose is to confirm that no force or undue influence was used to prevent other candidates from filing or to compel withdrawals.
"Once the report is submitted to the Commission, a final announcement is made," the official said. A candidate is formally declared victorious only after it is established that the election was conducted fairly, with no malpractice involved.
Breakdown of the Uncontested Seats
The data reveals a clear sweep for the ruling Mahayuti coalition. Out of the 69 unopposed victors, a commanding 44 belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, follows with 22 seats. The Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) secured two uncontested wins, and one candidate from the Islamic Party in Malegaon was also elected without opposition.
The geographical distribution of these walkover wins is telling:
- BJP's 44 wins were concentrated in Kalyan (15), Bhiwandi (6), Panvel (6), Jalgaon (6), Dhule (4), Ahilyanagar (3), Pune (2), and Pimpri-Chinchwad (2).
- Shinde Sena's 22 wins were notable in Thane (7), the home turf of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Kalyan (7), Jalgaon (6), and Bhiwandi (2).
- The Ajit Pawar-led NCP won both its uncontested seats in Jalgaon.
Political Reactions and Allegations
The phenomenon has sparked sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. The ruling alliance has hailed the outcomes as a testament to their popularity and development work. State BJP president Ravindra Chavan dismissed allegations of coercion, attributing the withdrawals to the opposition's lack of confidence. "These unopposed victories reflect the confidence that voters have in the development work carried out by the Mahayuti government," he claimed.
In stark contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition has raised serious concerns, demanding a thorough investigation. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut expressed astonishment, calling for the SEC to probe whether the elections were genuinely free and fair. He urged civic commissioners to investigate if withdrawals were voluntary or induced by threats or monetary offers.
Election officials in major civic bodies like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad confirmed they are preparing reports for the SEC as instructed. They noted, however, that no formal complaints had been received from any candidate or party regarding the unopposed elections at the local level so far. The coming days will be crucial as the SEC reviews these reports before making the results official, determining the legitimacy of this large-scale electoral walkover.
