The first phase of elections for municipal councils and panchayats in Maharashtra was conducted under a cloud of controversy and violence on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Incidents of clashes between political workers and allegations of bogus voting were reported from multiple regions across the state.
Low Turnout and Postponed Results
According to the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC), the voter turnout stood at 35 per cent till 3.30 pm for elections across 222 municipal councils and 42 municipal panchayats. In a significant development, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered a postponement of the result declaration. Consequently, the results, originally scheduled for December 3, will now be announced on December 21.
It is important to note that voting was not held in all initially announced constituencies. While elections were planned for 246 municipal councils and 42 municipal panchayats, polling was postponed in several areas. Voting took place in only 222 municipal councils on Tuesday, with elections in 154 wards across 76 other councils and panchayats deferred to December 20.
Widespread Violence and Allegations
The polling day was marked by unrest spanning from Buldhana in Vidarbha to Mahad in Raigad, and from Hingoli in Marathwada to Jalgaon in Muktainagar. In Mahad, tensions flared in the Nawa Nagar area following a clash between workers of the ruling Shiv Sena and the NCP (SP). Supporters of NCP(SP)'s Sushant Jabre alleged that Sena candidate Vikas Gogavale's group assaulted Jabre and his security guard, vandalised vehicles, and even flashed a revolver, causing panic. A heavy police deployment was required to control the situation.
In Buldhana, the Congress party raised serious allegations of bogus voting. They further accused Kunal Gaikwad, son of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, of aiding a bogus voter to escape. Meanwhile, in Hingoli, a case was registered against Santosh Bangar, an MLA from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction. Bangar was booked for allegedly violating polling rules after a video surfaced showing him guiding a woman inside a polling booth in Kalamnuri, using a mobile phone, and raising slogans.
Political Reactions and Criticism
The court-ordered delay in results drew sharp reactions from political leaders. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep disappointment, stating he had never seen such decisions in his 25-year career. He questioned why political parties and candidates should suffer due to systemic failures but refrained from further comment citing respect for the judiciary. He had earlier criticised the SEC for last-minute rescheduling of polls in some places.
Opposition leaders also voiced their concerns. Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticised the postponement, warning it disrupts the electoral process and opens doors for manipulation. NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the Election Commission was acting under the influence of the ruling party.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar issued a stern warning against violence, calling elections a sacred constitutional process. He emphasised that every citizen must be able to vote without fear and that any attempt to violate this would not be tolerated. Chief Minister Fadnavis also criticised MLA Bangar's conduct, stressing that elected representatives must show responsibility during elections.
