The Maharashtra State Election Commission will reveal the election timetable for 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis at a press conference on Tuesday at 4 pm. These local body elections are anticipated to occur on February 5, just before the commencement of grade 12 state board exams on February 10. The Supreme Court has granted an extension to the SEC, allowing elections to be held until February 15, with the condition that polls for the zilla parishads and panchayat samitis are completed by then.
The SEC is gearing up for elections to zilla parishads and panchayat samitis as the state is currently immersed in municipal election activities. While voting and counting for municipal elections are ongoing, the SEC is focusing on the upcoming zilla parishad and panchayat samiti polls. The Commission’s initial phase will cover areas where the 50% reservation limit has not been surpassed, with elections pending for 32 zilla parishads and 336 panchayat samitis across Maharashtra.
In response to legal battles over OBC quotas, the SEC has prioritized districts and samitis within the permissible reservation limits for the upcoming elections. The delay in elections was primarily due to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the 27% OBC reservation in local bodies in 2021, which exceeded the 50% reservation cap. The court mandated a series of steps before reinstating the quota, leading to a prolonged process involving data collection and legal challenges.
These elections are often referred to as “Mini Assemblies” as they provide insights into the sentiments of rural and semi-urban voters at the grassroots level. The election results hold significance for major alliances in Maharashtra, setting the tone for future state-level contests.
