Phase 1 of local body polls in Maharashtra marred by violence, bogus voting allegtions
According to the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC), the total polling percentage for the 222 municipal councils and 42 municipal panchayats was 35 per cent till 3.30 pm. The results for the polls will be announced on December 21 as the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court ordered postponement of results from the earlier scheduled date of December 3.
From Buldhana in Vidarbha to Mahad in Raigad district and from Hingoli in Marathwada to Jalgaon in Muktainagar, the polling witnessed widespread violence between the workers of political parties. Already mired in controversy over poaching of leaders across allies and Opposition, the first phase of local body elections in Maharashtra on Tuesday was marred by instances of violence over bogus voters as political parties targeted each other across constituencies.
According to the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC), the total polling percentage for the 222 municipal councils and 42 municipal panchayats was 35 per cent till 3.30 pm. The results for the polls will be announced on December 21 as the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court ordered postponement of results from the earlier scheduled date of December 3.
Though the SEC had originally announced elections in 246 municipal councils and 42 municipal panchayats, voting was postponed in some places and was held only in 222 municipal councils on Tuesday. While 154 wards in other 76 municipal councils and municipal panchayats also witnessed the postponement of the election. The voting in these areas will now be held on December 20.
Expressing disappointment over postponement of results, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “In my career of 25 years, I have never seen such decisions in local body elections. Why should political parties, candidates contesting elections suffer due to shortcomings in systematic process and failure. Since it is a court decision, I will not comment. Everybody has to accept it.”
The CM had also expressed disappointment on Monday over SEC’s decision to reschedule local body polls in several places. “The decision taken at eleventh hour was shocking.Hereafter, we hope and urge the SEC to ensure local bodies election take place as per schedule. And issues related to system and process are addressed. Rescheduling polls just because an individual goes to court and files a petition, is shocking. I think the rules are being interpreted differently by the SEC.”
Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar also criticised the move saying such incidents disrupt the electoral process and make it vulnerable to manipulation. NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the EC was acting under the influence of the ruling party, while Fadnavis, called on all parties to respect judicial decisions.
From Buldhana in Vidarbha to Mahad in Raigad district and from Hingoli in Marathwada to Jalgaon in Muktainagar, the polling witnessed widespread violence between the workers of political parties.
In Mahad, tension escalated in Nawa Nagar area when supporters of ruling Shiv Sena clashed with NCP (SP) workers over an argument between supporters of NCP (SP)’s Sushant Jabre and Sena’s Vikas Gogavale. The former alleged that Gogavale’s group assaulted Jabre and his security guard and vandalised several vehicles. A claim that a revolver was flashed during the fight created panic. A large police team was deployed to contain the situation.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar warned that violent and anti-constitutional behaviour to impact the voting will not be tolerated. “Election is a sacred process and constitutional right. Every citizen should be able to vote without any fear and pressure. Any attempt to violate this will not be tolerated,” he said.
In Hingoli, Deputy Chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangar was booked for allegedly violating the polling rules. The action came after a video that showed Bangar guiding a woman inside a polling booth in Kalamnuri, while she was casting her vote, raising slogans in favour of Bal Thackeray and Shinde, and using his mobile phone. The Chief Minister criticised Bangar’s behaviour, saying “elected representatives should show responsibility during elections”.
In Buldhana, Congress alleged that bogus voters were casting votes. In another incident in the same district, Congress said Kunal Gaikwad, son of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, helped a bogus voter escape.
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