State Election Commissioner Clarifies On Voter List Concerns Raised By Raj Thackeray, MVA

5 days ago 11
ARTICLE AD BOX

Last Updated:October 15, 2025, 02:45 IST

The elections are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Maharashtra’s political landscape ahead of the next assembly polls

Apart from Raj Thackeray, the delegation also comprised Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, and senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, among others. Pic/News18

Apart from Raj Thackeray, the delegation also comprised Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, and senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, among others. Pic/News18

A day after top opposition leaders, including Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) representatives and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, met the State Election Commissioner to raise several issues related to the upcoming local body elections, Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare issued a detailed clarification addressing their concerns.

During the meeting, Raj Thackeray reportedly raised seven to eight key questions, focusing mainly on why the registration of new voters was stopped and why names could not be added or removed from the voter list at this stage. Responding to these points, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare explained that any changes to the electoral rolls do not fall under the jurisdiction of the State Election Commission (SEC).

He clarified that the voter lists used for municipal, zilla parishad, and panchayat elections are the same ones prepared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for assembly constituencies. “The SEC does not make additions or deletions in these lists. For all upcoming local body elections, the voter rolls as they existed on July 1, 2025, will be used," Waghmare said during the meeting at the Commission’s office in Mumbai.

State Election Commission Secretary Suresh Kakani and officials from various political parties attended the meeting. Waghmare further explained that while preparing ward-wise voter lists, names and addresses of voters are retained exactly as they appear in the assembly voter lists. However, clerical errors such as incorrect ward allocations or missing names, despite being present in the assembly list, can be corrected. Voters may file objections or suggestions regarding such discrepancies, he said.

Political parties also urged the Commission to increase the number of star campaigners allowed and to raise the ceiling on election expenditure for candidates. “The demand to raise the number of recognised star campaigners from 20 to 40 will be considered," Waghmare said, adding that a similar review would be done regarding permissible campaign spending.

Outlining the current preparations for the upcoming elections, Secretary Kakani said that the process is already underway for all 29 municipal corporations, 246 municipal councils, 42 nagar panchayats, 32 zilla parishads, and 336 panchayat samitis across Maharashtra. The compilation of ward-wise voter lists is ongoing, and the Commission has made arrangements for easy public access.

“To help citizens verify their names in the draft or final lists, a dedicated website—https://mahasecvoterlist.in/—has been launched," Kakani said. Additionally, voters can obtain a photocopy of the list from their respective offices by paying a nominal fee of Rs 2 per page.

As local body polls approach, the clarification from the State Election Commission aims to bring transparency and dispel confusion surrounding voter registration and electoral roll management. The meeting also highlighted how political parties are gearing up for a highly competitive poll season—seeking both logistical clarity and greater campaigning flexibility.

The local elections, covering nearly every civic and rural body in the state, are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Maharashtra’s political landscape ahead of the next assembly polls.

Mayuresh Ganapatye

Mayuresh Ganapatye

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa...Read More

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa...

Read More

First Published:

October 15, 2025, 02:43 IST

News politics State Election Commissioner Clarifies On Voter List Concerns Raised By Raj Thackeray, MVA

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Read More

Read Entire Article