Many errors have emerged in the voter list prepared for the upcoming Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, forcing voters to rush to department offices to resolve issues. In many cases, residents’ names appear in wards different from their actual residence.
Relevant agencies have now issued orders asking voters who registered objections to appear at department offices for hearings. Complaints about these errors have already surfaced, with political parties especially local leaders and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena office bearers providing evidence.
Thousands of voters have reported their names appearing in incorrect wards, crossing the boundaries defined by the ward structure. Some political parties, noticing this confusion, have submitted objections on behalf of voters in their respective wards, attaching Aadhaar cards and signatures to the letters. Instead of acting directly, divisional offices have started calling voters to testify at ward offices, creating further confusion.
Former corporator Vaibhav Gaikwad criticised the process, saying it is surprising that complainants must come to the office instead of direct verification. Former corporator Raju Shinde called it unfair to make voters travel on a working day for a hearing. Deputy Commissioner of Election Department Bhagwat Doifode stated that all complaints will be taken into account.
Voters are frustrated because the municipal machinery is expected to verify objections directly, rather than requiring them to appear in person. Political parties have previously suggested conducting an independent survey to resolve such issues, which is also why the deadline for finalising the voter list has been extended. Meanwhile, voters continue to express anger over the unusual directive requiring them to appear at department offices to register their testimony.