Maharashtra Prepares for Municipal Polls with Ward Formation Process Underway

After a prolonged delay, the schedule for the much-anticipated municipal and local body elections in Maharashtra has finally been announced. According to the State Election Commission, municipal elections are expected to take place after October, and preparations are already underway, starting with the crucial process of ward formation.

The ward formation process, a key step before the elections, is likely to take around four months to complete. This process began on June 17 and includes the preparation of a draft ward structure, inviting public objections, conducting hearings, and publishing the final notification. The final ward structure for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation will be announced after October 6, while the ward structure for ‘D’ class municipal corporations will be finalized by October 13.

The local body elections had been stalled for over three years due to several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and legal issues related to the Maratha reservation. However, with these hurdles gradually being resolved, the Election Commission has accelerated its preparations.

As per the current schedule, elections to various local bodies including Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Zilla Parishads, and Panchayat Samitis are expected to be held starting in the first week of October. Sources suggest that the Election Commission is working on a war footing to ensure smooth execution of the electoral process.

The ward formation schedule marks a significant step toward restoring the democratic process at the grassroots level in Maharashtra.