The political fate of candidates across hundreds of local bodies in Maharashtra will be decided on Sunday, December 21, as the State Election Commission (SEC) begins the counting of votes. The results for elections to 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, conducted in two phases, are set to be announced, marking a crucial moment for grassroots governance in the state.
Counting Schedule and Process
The counting of votes will commence at 10:00 AM on Sunday. The exercise encompasses all seats, including those that went to polls in the first phase on December 2 and the second phase completed more recently. Officials have confirmed that the process will be conducted at designated counting centres, which include tehsil offices, schools, and public halls. As each round of counting concludes, the results will be displayed at these centres for public viewing.
Phase-One and Phase-Two Voter Turnout in Detail
The electoral journey for these local bodies unfolded in two distinct phases. The first phase, held on December 2, witnessed a final voter turnout of 67.63 per cent. Initially, polling was scheduled for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats. However, due to postponements in some areas, voting ultimately took place in 222 municipal councils and 42 panchayats on that day. An additional 154 wards across 76 other local bodies also saw their elections deferred.
Notably, Murgud municipal council in Kolhapur district recorded the highest polling percentage at an impressive 88.43%, while Besa Pipla in Nagpur district saw the lowest turnout at 51.33%. The elections for these postponed wards were successfully held on December 20.
The second phase of voting concluded on Saturday, December 20, at 5:30 PM. This phase covered elections for the posts of president and members in 23 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, along with filling 143 vacant member posts in these bodies. Prominent local bodies such as Baramati in Pune district and Ambernath in Thane district were part of this phase. By afternoon, the voter turnout was reported at 47.04%, with the final figure to be released on Sunday.
How and Where to Track the Results Live
Eager voters, political workers, and citizens can follow the results through multiple official and news platforms. The State Election Commission will publish the results on its official websites: mahasec.maharashtra.gov.in and mahasecelec.in.
For real-time trends, live updates, and comprehensive analysis, readers can follow dedicated live coverage. Additionally, traditional methods remain in place, with results being publicly declared at each counting centre as the process unfolds, ensuring transparency.
The outcome of these local body elections is keenly awaited as it will shape the administrative leadership at the grassroots level across Maharashtra, setting the tone for local development and governance for the coming term.
