The Maharashtra State Election Commission has officially postponed the announcement of local body election results. Originally slated for December 3, the outcomes will now be revealed on December 21. This decision follows a significant order from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court.
A division bench, comprising Justices Anil S. Kilor and Rajneesh R. Vyas, raised concerns that releasing results in separate phases might unfairly influence voter behavior and the final outcomes of subsequent phases. This judicial intervention came after several municipal wards, including those in Warora and Gondia, filed petitions challenging the Commission’s original plan for phased counting and result declarations.
The petitioners had strongly advocated for a consolidated announcement of all results for each municipal council on a single day, rather than a staggered approach. Voting for Nagar Panchayats and Parishads concluded on Tuesday. In accordance with the court’s directive, the counting for these elections, along with other local body polls voting on December 20, will now occur on December 21.
Meanwhile, the opposition has voiced serious questions regarding the overall election process. Congress leader Nana Patole accused the Election Commission of undermining democratic principles and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to consider impeachment proceedings, a move the Congress party pledged to support. Patole stated that the Election Commission’s methods in the Maharashtra local body elections were a prime example of how democratic systems are being compromised.
Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal echoed these sentiments, highlighting administrative shortcomings and irregularities. He alleged that the Election Commission was acting under the Chief Minister’s direction, pointing to a 40-hour voting postponement and delayed counting as evidence of bias. Sapkal further indicated that approximately 25,000 complaints might have been lodged statewide, asserting that the election had inflicted considerable damage on the democratic fabric.