No voting, no choice! Is democracy dead in Maharashtra civic polls?
National Bulletin Network
Pune/Mumbai: In a development that has triggered political controversy, the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra has secured over 65 civic seats unopposed in the ongoing municipal elections. In several urban local bodies, winners were declared even before polling could take place.
This development has raised a serious question: “Is democracy still alive when voters are denied a choice?”
As per official election data and sources who spoke to National Bulletin, candidates from the BJP-led Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), were declared elected after rival candidates withdrew their nominations during the withdrawal phase. With no opponents left in the fray, these wards saw no voting.
Sources said the large number of “unopposed victories” has sparked strong objections from opposition parties. They have alleged that candidates were pressured into withdrawing their nominations. This, they claim, denied voters their basic democratic right to choose their representatives.
Following these complaints, the State Election Commission (SEC) has now stepped in. The Commission confirmed that it has taken cognisance of the issue and will scrutinise the circumstances under which the uncontested wins took place.
Opposition leaders, too, have termed the developments “deeply disturbing.” They warned that such practices weaken grassroots democracy, especially in civic bodies that directly affect urban infrastructure, public services and local governance.
The ruling alliance, however, has rejected the allegations, claiming that “all withdrawals were voluntary and carried out as per election rules.”
A political analyst, requesting anonymity, said, “While unopposed elections are legally permissible, the unusually high number of seats being decided without voting is worrying. It raises serious questions about electoral competition and transparency.”
With the SEC stepping in, it is important to watch the wider political implications of this development on the state of Maharashtra and its citizens.