Even as the ruling Mahayuti claimed unopposed election victories in 68 seats across several municipal corporations in the state even before polling on January 15, the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has sought reports from local officials over the unopposed polls to ensure there was no foulplay.
“As per rules, in cases of unopposed victory, we seek report from the Returning Officer or the District Collector to ensure no force or any other means were used to intimidate other candidates from contesting,” said a senior SEC official.
The official added that once the report is submitted to the commission and final announcement made, only then the corporator is considered victorious.
The Opposition has already raised concerns over the unopposed elections alleging use of force and money.
While the BJP has the highest number of candidates — 44 — who have won unopposed, the Shiv Sena has 22, the NCP two and the Islamic Party one.
The BJP has 15 candidates in Kalyan who won unopposed, followed by six in Bhiwandi, two each in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, six in Panvel, four in Dhule, six in Jalgaon and three in Ahilyanagar. The Shiv Sena has seven candidates in Thane (also the home turf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde) who won unopposed, two in Bhiwandi, seven in Kalyan and six in Jalgaon. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP won two unopposed contests in Jalgaon. The lone seat bagged by the Islamic Party unopposed is in Malegaon.