In an unprecedented move, the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has put the declaration of results on hold for 68 candidates who were elected unopposed in the upcoming civic body polls. The decision, announced on Saturday, January 3, 2026, comes less than two weeks before the elections scheduled for January 15. The SEC has directed local officials to submit reports confirming that no foul play or coercion led to the withdrawal of rival candidates.
SEC Scrutiny and Official Protocol
A senior SEC official stated that as per standard rules, the commission seeks a report from the Returning Officer or District Collector in cases of unopposed victory. The objective is to verify that no force, intimidation, or any other undue means was used to prevent other candidates from contesting. Only after receiving and reviewing this report does the commission make a final announcement, officially declaring a candidate victorious.
Echoing this directive, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner and election official Shravan Hardikar referenced instructions from the SEC dating back to 2004. He confirmed that authorities are tasked with investigating whether nomination withdrawals occurred under pressure. Similarly, Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated that the process of sending the requisite report to the SEC was underway. Both commissioners noted that no formal complaints had been received from any candidate or political party so far.
Breakdown of Unopposed Victories
Of the 69 seats where candidates faced no contest, the ruling Mahayuti alliance secured a staggering 68. The breakdown of these "walkover" victories is as follows:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 44 candidates
- Shinde Shiv Sena: 22 candidates
- Ajit Pawar-led NCP: 2 candidates
- Islamic Party: 1 candidate
Geographically, the BJP's 44 unopposed wins were spread across multiple municipal corporations: 15 in Kalyan; six each in Bhiwandi, Panvel, and Jalgaon; four in Dhule; three in Ahilyanagar; and two each in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The Shinde Sena's 22 victories included seven in Thane (Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's home turf), seven in Kalyan, six in Jalgaon, and two in Bhiwandi. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP secured two uncontested seats in Jalgaon, while the Islamic Party candidate won unopposed in Malegaon.
Political Reactions and Allegations
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition has cried foul, demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unopposed elections. They have raised serious concerns about the alleged use of force and monetary inducements.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut called the scale of unopposed wins unheard of. He urged the SEC to probe whether the elections were genuinely free and fair. Raut further insisted that civic commissioners conduct a deep inquiry to determine if candidates withdrew willingly or due to threats or bribes.
In contrast, the BJP celebrated the outcomes, framing them as a testament to public trust. State BJP president Ravindra Chavan dismissed allegations of coercion, attributing the victories to the development work of the Mahayuti government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He suggested that even opposition candidates withdrew, convinced of the BJP's inevitable victory at the polls.
The SEC's intervention introduces a note of caution into the electoral process, ensuring that procedural integrity is maintained before finalizing these unexpected early results. The reports from district collectors are now awaited, which will determine the final status of the 68 candidates currently in limbo.
