The State Election Commission (SEC) in Maharashtra is currently processing reports for approximately 60 candidates who have secured unopposed victories in the upcoming civic body elections. These candidates span across 29 municipal corporations in the state, with municipal commissioners actively submitting their mandated reports ahead of the January 15 polling date.
Verification Process in Full Swing
Senior officials from the SEC confirmed that while these candidates face no contest, their results will be formally declared only on the official counting day, January 16. This cautious approach is part of a strict verification protocol. "We are in the process of collating reports received from municipal commissioners, as mandated under the rules," a senior SEC official stated. The commission is acting in accordance with a December 2014 order issued by the then State Election Commissioner, Nand Lal, which clearly outlines the procedure for declaring candidates elected without opposition.
The established directive requires municipal commissioners to submit detailed reports on each unopposed case. Following this submission, the SEC undertakes a thorough verification of all documents before making any formal announcement. "Municipal commissioners are expected to submit their reports at least two to three days before polling day," the official added. The commission has directed all commissioners to expedite this process, noting that follow-ups will begin from the coming week.
Ensuring Transparency and Integrity
Another senior SEC official emphasized that rigorous scrutiny is the cornerstone of this process. "We are closely following the 2014 order. Reports from municipal commissioners will be scrutinised before any unopposed candidate is declared elected. This ensures transparency and adherence to election norms," the official explained. The final announcement of these victories is contingent upon SEC approval and will be reserved for the counting day.
With the polls scheduled for January 15, municipal commissioners are under instruction to conduct comprehensive inquiries and submit their findings well in advance. Officials noted that returning officers (ROs) in several areas have already completed their initial work, submitting findings to the municipal commissioners, who then compile and forward consolidated reports to the SEC.
The Larger Electoral Landscape
These unopposed wins represent a small fraction of a much larger electoral battle. A total of 15,931 candidates are contesting for 2,869 corporator seats across 893 wards in Maharashtra. While the majority of wards are witnessing multi-cornered fights, a limited number of seats have seen candidates win without a contest. This typically occurs due to local political understandings or a complete absence of rival candidates.
Election authorities have reiterated that the verification process is vital for protecting the integrity of the entire electoral exercise. "Even when only a single candidate remains in the contest, we must ensure that there was no coercion or irregularity before declaring the candidate elected," another official affirmed. Political observers note that the SEC's decision to delay the formal declaration until counting day reflects a prudent and careful approach, especially with active polling just around the corner.
