Mon Jan 05 22:22:00 UTC 2026: ### Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Challenges Unopposed Election Results in Bombay High Court

The Story:

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Avinash Anant Jadhav has filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the election process that resulted in numerous candidates being elected unopposed in the upcoming municipal corporation elections across Maharashtra. The petition alleges that opposition candidates were coerced, intimidated, or improperly influenced to withdraw their nominations, thus violating the constitutional mandate of free and fair elections. The petition names the State of Maharashtra and the State Election Commission (SEC) as respondents and requests a court-monitored inquiry and a stay on the official notification of results in affected wards.

The petition highlights that 68 of the 69 unopposed seats have allegedly gone to the Mahayuti alliance, with 44 to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 22 to the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and 2 to the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party. The petitioner also seeks an amendment to the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, to mandate a minimum vote share for candidates elected unopposed and emphasizes the lack of a NOTA (None of the Above) option in uncontested elections.

Key Points:

  • Avinash Anant Jadhav of the MNS filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court on January 6, 2026, challenging unopposed election results.
  • The petition alleges coercion, intimidation, and illegal allurements led to withdrawals of opposition candidates.
  • The petition names the State of Maharashtra and the State Election Commission (SEC) as respondents.
  • 68 of the 69 unopposed seats allegedly went to the Mahayuti alliance, with the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and Nationalist Congress Party benefiting.
  • The petition calls for an amendment to the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, to mandate a minimum vote share for unopposed candidates.
  • The petition highlights the absence of a NOTA option in uncontested elections.
  • Polls to 29 municipal corporations, covering 893 wards and 2,869 seats, are scheduled for January 15, with counting on January 16.

Key Takeaways:

  • The writ petition raises serious concerns about the integrity of the election process in Maharashtra, specifically regarding unopposed elections.
  • The allegations of coercion and intimidation suggest a potential systemic failure in upholding free and fair elections.
  • The demand for a minimum vote share for unopposed candidates and the inclusion of a NOTA option highlight the need for electoral reforms to address voter dissatisfaction.
  • The High Court’s decision on this petition will have significant implications for future municipal elections in Maharashtra.
  • The timing of the petition just before the scheduled polls suggests an attempt to influence the electoral outcome.

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