In a joint letter, Congress state president Harshavardhan Sapkal, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, and Legislative Council group leader Satej (not in picture) stated that in many municipal corporations, the draft voter lists have not been properly divided ward-wise. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Tuesday (November 25, 2025) urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to extend the deadline for filing objections and suggestions to the draft voter lists for municipal corporation elections by 15 days.
The draft lists were published on November 20, and the current deadline for objections is November 27.
In a joint letter sent to the SEC, Congress state president Harshavardhan Sapkal, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, and Legislative Council group leader Satej alias Bunty Patil stated that in many municipal corporations, the draft voter lists have not been properly divided ward-wise. Many voters’ names have been shifted from their residential areas to other areas, and the number of such cases is quite large, the letter said.
“The current period of only seven days is extremely short, and it should be extended by 15 days. The process for submitting objections is also highly complicated, requiring each individual to file an application in the prescribed format along with an Aadhaar card. This method is cumbersome and time-consuming,” the party said in the letter.
The party leaders further said that if any individual or political party brings a valid objection or suggestion to the notice of the competent election authority, complaints regarding multiple individuals should be accepted; however, this is not happening at present.
“To ensure clarity and transparency in the voter lists, it is necessary to record the complaints of political parties and every citizen. Since the population in each ward is quite large, it will take time to verify the voter lists. Therefore, the deadline must be extended,” the Opposition wrote.
The Congress’ demand comes a day after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray sought a 21-day extension, contending that the short timeline undermines fair participation.
NCP (SP) national working president Supriya Sule also wrote to the SEC expressing concern over what she described as a “disturbing pattern” in local body elections, candidates being elected unopposed after rivals were allegedly pressured to withdraw. Ms. Sule warned that such practices erode democratic values and called on the commission to ensure a level playing field.
“Threats and intimidation have no place in a democracy,” Ms. Sule stated in her letter, urging authorities to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
She noted that Maharashtra has historically prided itself on inclusive, dialogue-driven politics and said that tradition must not be compromised by coercive tactics.
Her remarks come days after BJP state president Ravindra Chavan claimed that 100 BJP councillors were elected unopposed in municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra. Opposition parties have accused the ruling party of leveraging police influence and perpetuating dynastic politics at the grassroots level.
Ms. Sule emphasised that elections should be conducted in a “free and fearless atmosphere” to uphold democratic norms. “Unfortunately, this does not seem to be happening now,” she added, calling for urgent intervention by the SEC.
Published – November 26, 2025 03:05 am IST
