A recent Supreme Court verdict has opened the door for long-pending municipal elections in Maharashtra, requiring polls within four months and ward systems as they were prior to 2022. But the verdict’s silence on if wards are to be comprised of three or four representatives has sparked confusion among political parties, ex-corporators, and prospective candidates. The confusion has led to a new petition before the Supreme Court urging clarity, with fears growing about the electoral process being delayed.
Mrudula Narale
Pune | May 17, 2025: The vagueness of the court’s judgment has left the stakeholders in a state of uncertainty. Traditionally, ward systems have shifted between single, three, and four-member systems. In 2001, there was a three-member ward system, but this was changed to single-member wards in 2006. There was a four-member system in 2011 and maintained for the 2017 elections except for Mumbai, which continued with single-member wards. In 2021, the government chose a three-member model, only to revert to four members in 2022. These changes have served to escalate controversy, with the recent court ruling still not settling the issue of ward makeup.
The uncertainty risks postponing elections, since new ward delimitation may take considerable time and effort. A city president of a leading political party underscored that Rs. 100 crore has been already spent on delimitation in the time of a previous government, reasoning that such changes again will only waste public money. They also called for the State Election Commission to make clear the ward system at the earliest and remain true to the current arrangement to prevent delay. The Supreme Court has granted the Election Commission the prerogative to seek extension if necessary, yet players issue warnings against unwarranted delays.
To add to the complication, the election period overlaps with the monsoon season and Ganeshotsav festival, beginning from August 27, 2025. Under the circumstances, polls being due by September and monsoons continuing till October, logistical issues hang in the balance. A one-month extension was demanded by a former corporator, with the justification of studying the court’s reservation decision and ensuring free flowing election processes. Rash implementation, they contended, would undermine fairness, given the festivals and weather working against voter turns out and campaigning.
The State Election Commission faces pressure to act swiftly. The court’s directive requires the election timeline to be announced by June 1, 2025, but clarity on ward composition is critical to meeting this deadline. Former corporators and political leaders have urged the commission to provide clear guidance, warning that prolonged uncertainty could erode public trust. 1 .The petition filed in the Supreme Court seeks a definitive ruling to streamline the process and prevent further disputes.
As Maharashtra prepares for these civic polls, the controversy over the ward structure highlights fundamental questions of governance and planning. With much money already invested and festivals looming, clearing this confusion is essential to holding fair and prompt elections. The next few weeks will challenge the state’s capacity to reconcile legal obligations, popular expectations, and logistical realities.
Follow Us : https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/BAcirn55Dt
Read : https://newsdotz.com/mango-madness-kids-gobble-up-fun-at-mnss-eat-the-mango-contest-in-pune/
