Maharashtra: Preparation for local elections, opposition questions on electoral rolls, Commission gives clarification

Mumbai, October 18 (IANS). Preparations for the upcoming local elections are in full swing in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, a high-level delegation of opposition parties met the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra on October 14, 2025 to discuss voter lists and other issues. The opposition raised questions about alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls. After confusion spread over this issue in newspapers and social media over the past two days, the State Election Commission clarified the situation so that there is no misunderstanding among the voters. Under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is entrusted with the preparation and conduct of electoral rolls for elections to the Parliament, State Assemblies, President and Vice-President. For this, a Chief Electoral Officer is appointed in each state. At the same time, according to section 243-K and 243-ZA, the responsibility of local body elections rests with the State Election Commission (SEC). These two bodies are constitutionally separate. The SEC is responsible for preparing voter lists for local elections, but uses the assembly constituency area lists prepared by the ECI by dividing and verifying them ward-wise. The State Electoral Commission explained that the updated voter lists of the assembly for the upcoming local elections up to 1 July 2025 have been received from the VKI. These were published by district. The final selection of electoral rolls is under the jurisdiction of the SEC. The opposition alleged irregularities in the lists and the use of old data, which the commission rejected. The Commission stated that a special intensive review of the electoral rolls took place in the year 2002, and since then a special summary review has taken place every year. Claims and objections are requested by publishing draft lists, upon disposal of which final lists are issued. These lists are given free of charge to recognized political parties and to others on a commercial basis. –IANS SCH Share this story Tags