Maharashtra: State Election Commissioner Appointment Crucial For Upcoming Civic ElectionsÂ
Maharashtra: State Election Commissioner Appointment Crucial For Upcoming Civic Elections
The Maharashtra government needs to appoint a new State Election Commissioner (SEC) soon to conduct local body elections. The position has been vacant since September 5, following UPS Madan’s retirement.
Senior officials from the State Election Commission emphasized that filling the post is crucial, given the upcoming municipal corporation and gram panchayat polls scheduled for next year. “The new government needs to initiate the selection process and appoint the SEC immediately,” a senior state election official said.
Names of several former bureaucrats are being considered for the position. The general administration department (GAD) officials stated that an appointment order will be issued once the government finalizes its choice.
The SEC plays a vital role in overseeing local body elections across the state. However, the three-month vacancy in the key post has raised concerns. Opposition leaders criticized the delay, with senior Congress leaders stating that the SEC remaining headless is alarming.
Elections have not been held in various local bodies, including 27 municipal corporations, 243 municipal councils, and 289 panchayat samitis, due to pending petitions before the Supreme Court, including the provision of OBC quota in civic bodies.
