Will Hold Local Body Polls In Two-Three Phases After Monsoon: SEC To SC

The State Election Commission (SEC) has apprised the Supreme Court (SC) that it would conduct the local body elections in two to three phases post-monsoon, reported the Hindustan Times. The SC was informed that the elections to the 20 municipal corporations in Maharashtra will be held in September-October. Likewise, polls of the 25 district councils, 284 panchayat samitis, and nearly 2,000 gram panchayats could transpire in October-November.

According to the report, early this week, the SEC submitted a fresh timetable to the SC. Earlier on May 2, the apex court had asked them to commence the elections procedure in two weeks. 

The SEC reportedly informed the SC that the pre-poll process would require nearly two additional months for completion. The said process was stopped, following the Maharashtra government amending the law to take SEC's power of forming wards. 

Based on the account, in its submission to the SC, the poll panel remarked that the pre-poll procedure for all 2,486 local bodies could be finished by June end or mid-July. It added that the ward formation of 14 municipal corporations that entails Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan - Dombivali, will be finished by May 17. 

Likewise, the reservation procedure will be finished by June 30. The SEC, in accordance with the narrative, added that the ward formation in 25 district councils and 284 panchayat samitis could be completed by June 30 and reservation finalisation will be finished by July 31. 

The narrative suggests that the SEC told the apex court it looks to conduct the elections in phases. With the first phase being for urban bodies in September-October and the second phase for rural bodies in October-November. They elaborated on how they will not be able to hold elections in monsoon owing to logistical problems that include flooding, transportation and staff deployment for flood control measures. 

In its submission, the SEC elucidated that the same officers in deputy collectors ranked appointed as returning officers are needed to conduct the elections for urban as well as rural bodies. It uttered that since SEC has a limited number of electronic voting machines, they will have to be used in phases. This they say will also be convenient for police deployment.  

Also Read: Elections In Maharashtra Cannot Be Held Without OBC Reservation: Chhagan Bhujbal