Irregularities mar Municipal and Town council elections in Maharashtra !

• Cash distribution incidents exposed !

• Police intervention to stop clashes !

• Such incidents during voting are detrimental to democracy !

Mumbai – Municipal council and Town council (Nagar panchayat) elections were held across various parts of Maharashtra. While voting went smoothly in many places, several locations witnessed chaos, disputes, and violent clashes, tainting the polling process. In Akluj (Solapur district), Hingoli, Beed, Washim, Daryapur (Amravati), Satara, and Raigad, EVM machines malfunctioned, causing long queues of voters.

1. In Muktainagar (Jalgaon), Union Minister Raksha Khadse had a dispute with the police after BJP’s candidate was stopped at the polling centre.

2. At a polling station in Khultabad, a candidate was directly escorting a voter inside to cast a vote, which triggered strong objections from other candidates.

3. Clashes broke out between supporters of Shiv Sena Minister Bharat Gogawale and NCP’s Sushant Jabre during the Mahad (Raigad) municipal polling. Jabre and his bodyguard were allegedly assaulted by supporters of Vikas Gogawale, son of Bharat Gogawale. Multiple vehicles were vandalised during the incident.

4. At a polling booth in Trimbakeshwar’s Anand Akhada (Nashik), arguments erupted among candidates, their representatives, and election staff.

5. In Matheran (Raigad), ₹5,00,000 in cash was seized within municipal limits. The detained youth claimed it was hotel-related money, and an inquiry is underway.

6. In Akot (Akola), suspicions of cash distribution led to disputes between representatives of BJP and other candidates. When the argument escalated into physical clashes, police intervened.

7. In Rajura (Chandrapur), cash was being distributed in Ward No. 4, allegedly from a flour-mill shed.
In Khamgaon city (Buldhana), ₹50,000 was seized while it was allegedly being distributed to voters. 3 individuals fled the scene. Fake ballots with the name of BJP candidate Laxman Ailani were also confiscated.

8. In Majalgaon (Beed), allegations surfaced of cash being distributed at a polling centre. A dispute broke out between 2 groups, leading to mutual assaults. Police acted swiftly and detained individuals from both sides.

General differences between Town council (Nagar panchayat) and Municipal council

• Town council (Nagar panchayat): Formed for developing settlements with a population between 10,000 and 25,000. These areas are semi-urban in nature. Administrative divisions and staff are fewer. The chief executive is generally the Chief Officer. Revenue collection and funds are relatively limited.
• Municipal council: Established for stable, small-to-medium urban areas with a population between 25,000 and 3,00,000. Headed by a Class-I Chief Officer. It has small departments and moderate staffing, but revenue and funding are greater than that of a Town council.