Mon Dec 01 10:41:53 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

Maharashtra is holding local body elections on December 2, 2025, for 242 municipal councils and 46 nagar panchayats, the first phase of a Supreme Court-mandated process after delays since 2022. The State Election Commission (SEC) postponed some elections in Thane, Pune, and Ahilyanagar due to judicial appeals regarding nomination irregularities. Campaigning ends on December 1st, and the media is prohibited from running election advertisements on polling day. Results are expected on December 3rd. The elections are seen as a key indicator of political sentiment after the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s victory in the 2024 Assembly elections. Over 1.07 crore voters will vote at 13,355 polling stations, with Electronic Voting Machines deployed. The BJP has already secured some seats unopposed but faces criticism for candidate selection. The SEC implemented measures to address concerns about duplicate voters, following Opposition demands for postponement due to voter roll irregularities.

News Article:

Maharashtra Gears Up for Key Local Body Elections Amidst Political Maneuvering

Mumbai, December 1, 2025 – Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections tomorrow, December 2nd, for 242 municipal councils and 46 nagar panchayats, marking the first phase of a three-tier process mandated by the Supreme Court. These elections, delayed since 2022, are seen as a significant test of political sentiment following the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory in the November 2024 Assembly elections.

The State Election Commission (SEC) had to postpone elections in some areas of Thane, Pune, and Ahilyanagar districts following judicial appeals citing irregularities in the nomination process. Specifically, the SEC noted issues with appeal verdicts delivered after November 22nd and instances where candidates were not afforded the required three days to withdraw their nominations.

Campaigning will conclude at 10 p.m. tonight, and the SEC has reminded media outlets of the ban on running election advertisements on the polling day.

Over 1.07 crore voters will head to 13,355 polling stations across the state, where Electronic Voting Machines will be used. Results are expected on December 3rd.

While the BJP has already secured some seats unopposed, the party has faced criticism for its candidate selection in certain regions. The Opposition, which had previously demanded a postponement due to voter roll irregularities, is hoping to challenge the ruling coalition’s dominance at the municipal level. To address these concerns, the Election Commission of India implemented a verification system to identify potential duplicate voters.

These elections take place under a Supreme Court directive to complete pending polls by January 31, 2026. The crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, last held in 2017, are expected around mid-January.

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