Maharashtra Civic Polls: Campaigning Extended, New Machines Spark Debate
The State Election Commission has made an unusual decision for the Maharashtra civic elections. They extended door-to-door campaigning into the traditional silent period before voting. This move has sparked strong criticism from opposition parties.
Campaigning Extension Breaks Tradition
Normally, campaigning ends two days before polling. For these BMC elections, public campaigning stopped on January 13. However, the SEC allowed candidates to continue door-to-door visits. This permission extends right up to polling day on January 15.
State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare defended the decision. He cited a 2012 order from the SEC. That order permitted door-to-door visits after public campaigning concluded. Waghmare emphasized that public campaigning remains completely banned.
Opposition leaders strongly objected to this extension. MNS chief Raj Thackeray voiced his concerns. He stated that elections always had a gap after official campaigning ended. Thackeray accused the SEC of working according to the government's wishes. He questioned why this permission was granted now.
Allegations of Cash Distribution
The campaigning extension comes amid serious allegations. Opposition parties claim ruling parties distributed cash and incentives to voters. They reported incidents in multiple locations across Maharashtra.
Reports mentioned Vasai, Dombivli, Thane, and Chembur in Mumbai. Other areas included Panvel, Akola, Nagpur, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Video clips allegedly showed money changing hands in these regions.
Raj Thackeray urged MNS office-bearers to stay vigilant. He asked them to prevent any distribution of money in their areas. Thackeray also demanded that Waghmare address their concerns directly.
When questioned about these allegations, Waghmare responded clearly. He stated the SEC would take action if anyone filed a formal complaint.
New Vote Display Machine Raises Questions
Another controversy involves a new machine called PADU. This stands for Printing Auxiliary Display Unit. The machine would display vote counts if regular machines failed on counting day.
Opposition parties expressed serious concerns about PADU. They questioned why they received no prior information about this machine. They also asked why no demonstration occurred before its deployment.
Raj Thackeray raised the possibility of tampering. He asked why authorities provided no earlier information about connecting new machines to EVMs. Thackeray described the situation as anarchy rather than democracy.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has written to the SEC about this matter. His party contests the elections in alliance with the MNS.
Official Clarifications on PADU Machines
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani provided clarification about the PADU machines. He stated these machines serve only as backup equipment. They would activate only in exceptional or emergency situations.
Gagrani explained that PADU machines would help if a regular machine suddenly stopped working. They would address technical snags during the counting process.
The SEC made additional statements on Wednesday evening. They revealed that 140 PADU machines are available to the BMC. These machines would operate only in exceptional cases. Technicians from Bharat Electronics Limited would supervise their use.
The SEC claimed they instructed the BMC to demonstrate PADU to political party representatives. They stated this demonstration occurred during Tuesday's press conference.
Looking Ahead to Future Elections
Following the BMC polls, significant Assembly elections will occur in early 2026. Several states will participate in these high-profile contests. The list includes West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
The current controversies in Maharashtra highlight ongoing challenges in election administration. They demonstrate the tension between election authorities and political parties. These issues will likely influence discussions about electoral reforms in coming months.
