Nagpur: In a significant development impacting local body elections across Maharashtra, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday ordered that results for all municipal councils and nagar panchayats be declared on a single day—21 December. The court said the results must be announced simultaneously, even if polling in several councils concludes earlier than others.
The ruling came in response to a petition that warned of “unfair discrepancies and voter confusion” if the results were announced on staggered dates. Petitioners argued that simultaneous declaration was essential to prevent any undue political advantage and to uphold electoral neutrality.
The High Court also granted permission for exit polls to be published 30 minutes after voting ends on 20 December, clarifying that the Model Code of Conduct would remain active until polling formally concludes.
In another key decision, the court said that candidates from councils where elections were cancelled would retain their previously allotted symbols, ensuring no disadvantage or need for reorientation among voters. However, the Bench dismissed demands from several candidates seeking higher expense limits, stating that financial losses due to postponements could not justify changes in established expenditure rules.
Reacting strongly to the unfolding situation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep displeasure over the sequence of postponements and administrative lapses. He said that while he had no criticism of the State Election Commission, the repeated delays and procedural issues reflected “serious structural flaws” that must be addressed immediately.
“This is the first time I have seen local body elections marred by so many irregularities,” Fadnavis remarked, stressing that the state must work toward a smoother, transparent, and dispute-free electoral process in the future.
