Confusion stemming from newly drawn electoral boundaries is causing significant disruption in the campaign for the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections. Several candidates are reportedly canvassing in the wrong wards, often having to be corrected by voters themselves, due to a lack of clarity following a major restructuring of the civic body's wards.
Root of the Confusion: A New Ward System
The primary cause of the chaos is the recent adoption of a four-member ward system and a completely new ward structure. This reorganization has dramatically expanded the geographical size and voter base of each ward. Uttam Patil, a candidate from Ward 3, highlighted the scale of the change, noting that wards which previously contained 4,000 to 6,000 voters have now ballooned to encompass approximately 25,000 voters each. This expansion has made it challenging for candidates and their teams to accurately identify their ward limits.
The confusion is particularly acute in the central parts of Kolhapur, where the new boundaries have created bizarre divisions. In some instances, one side of a lane falls under one ward, while the opposite side belongs to another. This has led to candidates being spotted campaigning outside their designated constituencies. The problem extends to the suburbs as well, where wards now stretch 3 to 4 kilometres from end to end, forcing candidates to cover vast distances on foot.
Candidates Face Humiliation and Logistical Nightmares
For the aspirants, the situation is both embarrassing and a serious drain on precious campaign time. Rashmi Salokhe, a candidate from Ward 12, shared her experience of being informed by voters that she was in the wrong ward. "After the voter points out our mistake, we and our supporters have to make a swift exit," she said. "With only a few days left for campaigning, this kind of wastage of time is very humiliating." She argued that a more detailed description of the ward limits could have prevented this widespread confusion.
The logistical challenges are immense. Candidates and their supporters are seen walking door-to-door, laden with leaflets, manifestos, party flags, and scarves, trying to cover as much ground as possible in these newly massive wards. The confusion isn't limited to foot soldiers; even autorickshaws equipped with loudspeakers are being deployed in incorrect wards, adding to the cacophony and disorder.
Voter Fatigue and Campaign Overload
The boundary confusion is contributing to a sense of overload among residents. Surekha Chougale, a resident of Rajarampuri, described the relentless campaign atmosphere. She stated that in each ward, at least eight candidates from both the Mahayuti and MahaVikas Aghadi alliances are using autorickshaws for canvassing. "Throughout the day, as soon as one autorickshaw leaves, another one arrives. At times, two-three rickshaws stand together playing recorded campaign tunes simultaneously," she said. Furthermore, residents are encountering unfamiliar faces at their doors, as candidates who have never been seen in the area before come campaigning, likely due to the boundary mix-up.
A total of 327 candidates are contesting for 81 corporator posts across 20 wards in the KMC elections. The ongoing confusion over ward demarcations threatens to undermine the efficiency of the campaign process for all stakeholders involved, casting a shadow over the electoral preparations in the city.
