Term of reservation in BMC electoral wards to be changed after 10 years

According to sources, Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reservation wards is now to be changed after 10 years.

Municipal wards are restructured every ten years and ward reservations are changed every five years. As per section 5A of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, 1888, based on total electoral seats, the reservations are divided into Scheduled Tribe (ST), Scheduled Caste (SC), Other Backward Class (OBC) and women.

Meanwhile, out of 227 wards in Mumbai, 50 per cent are open and reserved for women in various wards. Moreover, the ward for the open class this year may be reserved for other classes or for women in the next election.

Ahead of civic polls next year, the Shiv Sena party, the ruling party in the BMC, is seeking a change in the term of reservation of electoral wards from the existing five years to 10 years. In the past, Senior Sena corporator from Byculla and Standing Committee chairman Yashwant Jadhav moved a notice of motion, demanding that instead of five years the seat reservation lottery should be held every 10 years.

Furthermore, Jadhav added that after being approved by the general body, an amendment be made to this effect in the revised Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1888. In addition, he has urged that change in reservation term should be then implemented from the civic general elections to be held in February 2022.