Ajay Waghmare Elected President of Akola Bar Association for 2026-27 Term

Ajay Waghmare Triumphs in Akola Bar Association Presidential Election

The legal community in Akola witnessed a significant electoral event as the Akola Bar Association elected its new leadership for the 2026-27 term. In a closely contested presidential race, seasoned advocate Ajay Waghmare emerged victorious, marking a return to a position he has held previously.

Presidential Race: A Narrow Victory

Waghmare secured 682 votes, narrowly defeating his rival Hemsingh Mohta, who polled 633 votes. The margin of victory was a mere 49 votes, highlighting the competitive nature of the election. A total of six votes were declared invalid in this segment. The election was conducted on the court premises in Akola on Friday, with the results formally declared by election returning officer Uday Naik in the evening.

Withdrawal and Vote Exclusion

Prior to polling, the nomination of Sanjay Deshmukh was withdrawn following directions from the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa. Despite his withdrawal, Deshmukh's name remained on the voters' list, leading to him receiving 11 votes. These votes were subsequently excluded from the final count, ensuring the integrity of the election process.

Other Key Office-Bearers Elected

The elections also saw the selection of other crucial positions within the association:

Women's Vice-President: Sheetal Gawai won with 552 votes, followed by Sharda Malhotra (378), Manju Sawarkar (163), Nirmala Nagdeve (152), and Sangeeta Gavande (76). This section recorded 11 invalid votes.
Men's Vice-President: Vijay Bhambere was elected with 675 votes, surpassing Rahul Wankhade (375 votes) and Sumedh Dongardive (264 votes).
Joint Secretary: Pramod Korde secured 700 votes, winning by a margin of 203 votes over Akash Bhagat (497 votes) and Pavanesh Agrawal (121 votes). This segment had 14 invalid votes.

Peaceful Polling and Voter Turnout

The election proceeded smoothly throughout the day, with a total of 1,332 members exercising their franchise. The peaceful conduct of the poll underscores the democratic spirit within the legal fraternity. Waghmare's victory sparked celebrations among his supporters within the court campus, reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding his return to leadership.

Future Focus for the New Leadership

The newly-elected office-bearers are expected to prioritize several key areas to enhance the association's effectiveness. Their agenda likely includes: