Maharashtra Municipal Elections 2025 witnessed polling across 23 municipal councils and nagar panchayats on Saturday, December 20, with voters turning up in significant numbers despite chilly winter conditions. While the overall voting process remained peaceful in most regions, allegations of fake voters in Ambernath and technical glitches in EVMs at several locations put the election machinery under scrutiny.
Voting is being held for 143 vacant posts across multiple districts. These elections were originally conducted on December 2, but polling in 23 municipal bodies had to be deferred following court-related issues. The rescheduled voting took place today, with results scheduled to be announced on December 21.
Cold Weather Fails to Dampen Voter Spirit
From Ambernath and Kopargaon to Baramati, Phaltan, Mahabaleshwar, Manglawedha, and Fursungi–Uruli Devachi, polling began early in the morning. Although temperatures dipped sharply in several districts, voter enthusiasm remained visible, particularly in urban pockets.
Fake Voter Allegations Rock Ambernath
The biggest controversy of the day emerged from Ambernath, where police detained 208 suspected voters from the Kohajgaon area. Authorities carried out Aadhaar and PAN card verification to establish identities and investigate allegations that voters were brought in from outside areas, including Bhiwandi.
Political parties, including the BJP and Congress, alleged large-scale bogus voting. However, senior police officials clarified that no official complaint related to EVM tampering or cash distribution has been registered so far. Around 1,400 police personnel were deployed in Ambernath to maintain law and order.
EVM Glitches in Yavatmal and Satara
In Yavatmal, voting was temporarily disrupted after an EVM malfunction at one polling booth, leading to long queues of voters. A similar situation unfolded in Phaltan (Satara district), where polling in Ward No. 13 had to be paused due to repeated EVM failures.
Voting Percentage Till 9:30 AM
As per early data available till 9:30 AM:
- Washim Municipal Council: 6.53%
- Risod Municipal Council (2 wards): 8.41%
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district: 8.92%
- Phulambri Nagar Panchayat: 12.47%
- Ambernath: 7.58%
- Bhusawal, Yawal, Savda: 4.6%
- Ghuggus (Chandrapur): 5.7%
Other Key Developments
- A bogus voter using a fake Aadhaar card was caught in Sinnar
- Low morning turnout in Mohol due to severe cold
- First-ever municipal elections held in Fursungi–Uruli Devachi
- Several high-profile political contests across districts
As voting continues through the day, Maharashtra Municipal Elections 2025 are expected to significantly shape local political equations, with all eyes now on the results to be declared on Sunday.
