In Maharashtra, fresh directives were announced by the State Election Commission (SEC) to tighten the verification of potential duplicate entries in the electoral rolls for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections. The updated guidelines were issued with the intention of reinforcing the accuracy of voter identification and ensuring that the polling process remains uncompromised by repetitive listings.
It was conveyed during an official briefing that election officers across all municipal corporations had been advised to undertake enhanced scrutiny while examining draft rolls and during the actual polling process. Emphasis was reportedly placed on maintaining precision during every phase of verification, with officials being reminded that both procedural diligence and proactive correction of discrepancies were expected from them.
Details from a video conference addressed by State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare were shared, during which municipal authorities were urged to complete the verification of objections and suggestions submitted against the draft rolls. It was stressed that any inaccuracies observed in the ward-wise rolls were to be rectified without awaiting formal complaints. The deadline for filing objections, which had been set for December 3, was highlighted in the briefing, along with Waghmare’s reminder that all decisions on those submissions were required to be taken before the announcement of the final voters’ list scheduled for December 10.
Municipal bodies were also instructed to display lists of suspected duplicate voters prominently on notice boards and official websites. This requirement was stated to be in alignment with a directive issued by the SEC on October 29, 2025. As per the measures outlined, names that appeared more than once in the rolls were to be marked with double asterisks. It was additionally specified that any voter identified as a potential duplicate would be required to submit a formal declaration naming the polling station at which they intended to vote. Voting would then be permitted only at the declared booth.
Procedures were also formalised for situations in which a duplicate voter appeared on polling day without responding to earlier communication. In such cases, an indemnity bond in the prescribed format was to be furnished, affirming that no vote would be cast elsewhere. Voting would be allowed only after the completion of strict identity verification.
Clarification regarding the framework of the electoral rolls was provided by SEC Secretary Suresh Kakani. It was mentioned that the Assembly constituency rolls prepared by the Election Commission of India were adopted without alteration for all municipal elections. For the purpose of Municipal Corporation polls, these rolls were segmented ward-wise. The reference date for the ongoing election process was specified as July 1, 2025, meaning that the Assembly rolls valid on that date would be utilised.
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