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Mumbai Election Controversy: Shiv Sena-UBT Protests 'Hasty' BMC Poll Announcement

The Shiv Sena-UBT has strongly objected to the timing of the municipal election announcement. They argue it's irresponsible to declare polls before the final voter lists are publicly available and errors are corrected. The party's letter to the State Election Commission calls this a violation of voter rights and a mockery of democracy. Meanwhile, BJP leader Ashish Shelar has fired back, demanding transparency on past BMC expenditures.

Key Points: Shiv Sena-UBT Protests Hasty Maharashtra Municipal Election Schedule

  • Shiv Sena-UBT protests election schedule announced before final voter list publication
  • Party alleges poor management and lack of transparency by State Election Commission
  • Claims final voter list is unavailable on SEC website or at BMC headquarters
  • BJP's Ashish Shelar counters, demands account of BMC's Rs 1.25 lakh crore spending
2 min read

Shiv Sena-UBT protests against 'hasty' announcement of municipal elections

Shiv Sena-UBT writes to SEC, calling BMC poll announcement premature before final voter list publication and questioning election credibility.

"This is not only administrative irresponsibility but also a violation of the rights of voters and a mockery of the democratic process. - Shiv Sena-UBT"

Mumbai, Dec 15

The Shiv Sena-UBT in a letter to the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has protested against the announcement of elections to the 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), terming it "hasty".

It claimed the poll schedule has been announced even before the publication of the final voter list.

Shiv Sena-UBT has also protested against the poor management and lack of transparency in the functioning of the SEC.

The Shiv Sena-UBT said, "State Election Commission had promised to publish the final electoral list for the municipal elections. The BMC had also made a similar claim by placing advertisements in newspapers, however, the final voter list is neither available on the SEC's website nor a printed copy being made available at the BMC headquarters. On the one hand, while the voter list process has not been completed, on the other hand, the SEC hastily held a press conference and announced the elections. This is not only administrative irresponsibility but also a violation of the rights of voters and a mockery of the democratic process."

"Why is there such a rush to announce the elections when the administrative preparations are not complete? Declaring elections with such inadequate and flawed preparations is legally and morally wrong. This raises questions about the credibility of the election process," it added.

"However, we strongly demand through this letter that elections should not have been announced until the final voter lists of all municipal corporations, including the BMC, are made public and the errors therein are resolved," the Shiv Sena-UBT said.

The Shiv Sena-UBT added that the SEC should prove its impartiality in this regard and implement the previously announced schedule.

Meanwhile, Mumbai District Guardian Minister and BJP In-charge for BMC elections, Ashish Shelar, targeted the Shiv Sena-UBT and asked it to give Mumbaikars a clear account of the Rs 1.25 lakh crore spent over the last five terms of the BMC and also clarify how much truly benefitted the people and how much found its way into the pockets.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved to Mumbai, I've been trying to check the voter list online for days. It's nowhere to be found. This lack of transparency is very concerning. The process should be fair and accessible to all.
A
Ashwin V
While the concern about the voter list is valid, let's not forget Shelar's point. Where did all that BMC money go? 🤔 Both sides need to answer tough questions. This election should be about accountability, not just political mudslinging.
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Priyanka N
Typical political drama before elections. One party points at process, the other points at corruption. Meanwhile, our roads are still flooded every monsoon and garbage piles up. Just give us a functional city, please! 🙏
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Karthik V
The SEC must maintain its impartiality. Rushing the schedule creates doubt in the minds of citizens. They should pause, publish the list, give people time to check for errors, and then proceed. A delayed but fair election is better than a hasty, flawed one.
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Michael C
Working in governance here, I see this often. Announcing dates becomes a political tool. The technical preparedness always takes a backseat. Hope the courts take note if the voter list isn't public. The foundation of the election has to be solid.

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