Pune: Cooperative housing societies gear up for elections as Covid-related restrictions ease

During the first wave, while elections to gram panchayat were allowed, those to elect cooperative bodies were not. The state government had postponed the elections multiple times despite demand from various housing societies and other cooperative bodies. Covid-19 restrictions, Patwardhan and others had pointed out, were easier to follow during elections of cooperative housing societies than anywhere else.

Not holding elections had led to problems in sanctioning of budget or starting of new projects in the housing societies, they said, adding that the extension given to the existing executive bodies in places where there were disputes had resulted in more “bad blood” among the members.

While the elections have been delayed, Patwardhan said they have ensured training of member societies. The process of elections requires the nomination of a returning officer, preparation of the electoral rolls, inviting suggestions and objections and then publishing the same. The returning officer oversees the process, which has to be completed within 60 days of declaration of the elections.

On Friday, during a weekly meeting in the city, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had indicated that the state government would allow holding of elections. “We are hopeful that the government’s notification would be issued on September 1. As it is the government has removed almost all restrictions and thus we are optimistic that the elections would be allowed post September 1,” he said.