The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has officially kick-started the process for its long-awaited civic elections by appointing ten new returning officers (ROs). This crucial administrative move came on Tuesday, just a day after the State Election Commission (SEC) announced polls for NMC and 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra.
Formal Election Machinery Set in Motion
The appointments signal the beginning of the formal election machinery for the civic polls, which are being held after a significant gap of more than three-and-a-half years. Municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri, who also serves as the chief returning officer, issued the official order notifying the appointments. All ten appointed ROs are officials holding the rank of deputy district collector, a mandate for elections in municipal corporations.
Ward Distribution and Administrative Roles
According to the civic administration, Nashik is divided into 31 wards encompassing a total of 122 corporator seats. The workload has been distributed among the ten returning officers in the following manner:
- Each RO will oversee election-related processes for three wards.
- In one administrative zone, an RO has been assigned four wards due to specific requirements.
In addition to the ROs, the civic body has strengthened the election team by appointing 30 assistant returning officers (AROs). These officers have also been drawn from senior administrative cadres. Their primary role is to assist the respective ROs in critical tasks, which include:
- Scrutiny of nomination papers.
- Allocation of election symbols.
- Training of polling personnel.
- Ensuring strict adherence to the model code of conduct.
While one ARO has been allocated for each ward, a few officers will handle responsibilities for two wards based on the distribution of the workload.
Preparations for a Major Democratic Exercise
This structured appointment of key election officials marks a decisive step towards conducting a smooth and fair democratic exercise for the Nashik civic body. With the state election authority having announced the polls, the focus now shifts to the detailed schedule, nomination process, and the eventual campaigning phase. The NMC's administrative machinery is now gearing up to manage one of the city's most significant electoral events in recent years.
