Special Correspondent
Mumbai: Amid a severe shortage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the State Election Commission of Maharashtra is actively considering conducting the much-delayed local body elections in three separate phases. Sources within the Election Commission have confirmed that internal assessments and logistical planning are currently underway.
According to preliminary discussions, the first phase is expected to take place in October, covering Panchayat Samitis, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats. The second phase, tentatively scheduled for November, will involve elections to the Zilla Parishads, and the third and final phase in December will likely cover elections to the Municipal Corporations.
This move comes in the wake of a Supreme Court directive instructing the state to conduct the overdue elections without delay. More than 687 local self-governing bodies across the state, including 27 Municipal Corporations and over 350 municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats, are currently functioning without elected representatives due to repeated postponements. These bodies are crucial pillars of grassroots governance and are responsible for urban planning, sanitation, water supply, and local infrastructure.
Conducting elections for all 687 bodies simultaneously would require a massive number of EVMs, which the State Election Commission currently does not have. “Given the limited availability of EVMs and trained manpower, it is practically impossible to conduct elections to all local bodies in one go,” said a senior official from the Commission.
To address this, the Commission has initiated coordination meetings with district-level election officers and local bodies. A statewide video conferencing session has been scheduled for July 11, during which issues such as voter population, number of polling booths, EVM logistics, and staff deployment will be discussed. The Commission has already issued official letters to all local bodies outlining the agenda and requesting updated data.
The Urban Development Department has instructed all local bodies, including Municipal Corporations, to complete draft ward delimitation plans in line with court directives. While ward delimitation for Panchayat Samitis and Municipal Councils is likely to conclude by August, the final ward structure for Municipal Corporations is expected by October, paving the way for the last leg of elections.
While the current schedule projects Municipal Corporation elections in December, further delays cannot be ruled out, especially if challenges persist in finalizing ward boundaries or if EVM procurement faces further hurdles.
The local body elections are expected to set the tone for the 2025 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, and all major political parties are keenly watching the evolving developments. These elections will serve as a litmus test for alliances like the Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena Shinde-NCP Ajit Pawar) and the opposition MVA (Congress, NCP Sharad Pawar, and Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction).
In terms of administrative preparedness, the Election Commission is also reviewing its polling staff database, booth-level officer readiness, and material transport logistics, to ensure smooth execution across all three phases.
The final decision is expected post the July 11 video conference meeting, where a more detailed action plan will be announced.
