Polling Underway For 23 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats Across Maharashtra

Polling commenced on Saturday morning for the second and final phase of local body elections in Maharashtra, covering 23 municipal councils and nagar panchayats along with 143 vacant member seats. Voting began at 7:30 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 5:30 p.m., with counting for both phases set for December 21 starting at 10 a.m. The State Election Commission has deployed security at sensitive booths to ensure peaceful conduct.

This phase follows the first round on December 2, which saw elections for 263 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across the state, recording an average turnout of 67.63%. In several constituencies during the initial phase, presidents and members were elected unopposed. The staggered polls aim to fill positions in various urban local bodies amid heightened political activity.

The elections feature intense competition between the ruling Mahayuti alliance—comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP—and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. In multiple locations, alliance partners are contesting against each other, leading to "friendly fights" within the coalition. Key areas polling today include Ambernath, Baramati, Kopargaon, Yavatmal, Washim, Phaltan, and Mahabaleshwar.

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Nearly one crore voters are eligible to participate in this phase, with district administrations directed to maintain order. Campaigning ended at 10 p.m. on Friday, and authorities have prohibited any violations. Turnout figures for the ongoing phase are awaited, following the strong participation seen earlier.

These local body elections hold significance as a litmus test for political alliances ahead of future contests. Results from both phases will shape municipal governance in numerous towns across Maharashtra. The process underscores the state's commitment to democratic decentralisation at the grassroots level.

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