Maharashtra: The Urban Development Department (UDD) of Maharashtra has released a directive to all municipal corporations, emphasizing the need to expedite the ward delimitation process to ensure timely civic elections. The circular highlights the importance of maintaining strict confidentiality during the drafting of the preliminary ward plan to avoid external influence or pressure.
As per the directive, no information related to the draft plan is to be disclosed to politicians, the media, or the public before its official release. Any breach of this confidentiality will lead to disciplinary action against the officials involved. The government acknowledges that those working on the restructuring may face external pressure, hence the emphasis on a secure and discreet approach.
Once the preliminary ward boundaries are made public, the state will invite objections and suggestions. These will be reviewed in hearings conducted by officers appointed by the state government. After due consideration, the final restructuring plan will be forwarded to the State Election Commission for approval. Following the commission’s clearance, the municipal commissioner will officially publish the final ward map.
The restructuring will be based on the 2011 census data, including total population and the demographic distribution of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, alongside ward maps and household data. However, current voter counts and present-day residency figures will not influence the restructuring process. The population of each ward must fall within a 10% range above or below the average ward population.
Ward boundaries must align with natural and man-made landmarks such as major roads, lanes, rivers, drains, hills, railway tracks, and flyovers. The guidelines specify that no single building, residential block, or chawl should be divided between two wards. Open spaces must be fully included within individual wards, and clear identification of roads, city survey numbers, rivers, and rail lines must be reflected in the final plan. Transparency and clarity in the process are essential to ensure public trust and avoid ambiguity.
