Mumbai: With just 12 days remaining for Maharashtra’s 29 municipal corporation elections, the State Election Commission (SEC) has ordered a detailed inquiry into the unopposed victory of 69 candidates across the state. The move comes amid allegations of coercion and procedural irregularities, raising concerns over the fairness of the upcoming polls.
According to SEC sources, the panel has asked District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners to submit comprehensive reports on all unopposed candidates before any official declaration of victory. “The SEC has taken a serious note of the declaration of unopposed wins by political parties and ordered a probe. Even if a candidate is unopposed, their victory can only be officially announced on counting day, after verifying that no withdrawals occurred due to pressure or inducement,” the sources told IANS on Saturday.
The inquiry follows complaints from opposition parties including Congress, Janata Dal (S), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In Mumbai’s Colaba Ward ‘A’, candidates claimed they were unlawfully prevented from filing nominations or pressured to withdraw. To verify these claims, the SEC has directed the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner to review CCTV footage and submit detailed reports from Returning Officers, Municipal Commissioners, and Police Commissioners.
“The election results for these BMC seats will not be officially announced until the investigation is complete,” the SEC added. While officials found guilty of bias or coercion may face action, current laws do not allow candidates to refile nominations, making the probe critical to maintaining electoral integrity.
The controversy has emerged against the backdrop of the Mahayuti alliance claiming 68 of the 69 unopposed seats even before polling. The BJP was the biggest beneficiary, securing 44 seats without contest, followed by Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Opposition leaders have criticized this as a preemptive advantage that undermines democratic processes and fair competition.
