Maharashtra Civic Polls Vote Counting Begins Amid Reports of Violence, Bogus Voting and Cash Distribution

Counting for Maharashtra’s municipal council and nagar panchayat elections began Sunday at 10 am, a day after polling saw violence, alleged bogus voting, and cash distribution. These elections cover 23 councils and panchayats, including 143 vacant seats, and are seen as a lead-up to the bigger municipal corporation polls next month. Polling on Saturday ended at 5:30 pm, but several incidents made the day tense. In Ambernath, clashes between two groups led police to use lathi-charge, and 208 women from nearby Bhiwandi were detained. Opposition parties alleged they were brought for fake voting, while the women said they had come for a public meeting. Police are investigating the matter. Elsewhere, a man was caught carrying Rs 35,000 cash, and an FIR was registered, suggesting attempts to influence voters. Reports also emerged of clashes between Shiv Sena and Congress workers in other areas. Nanded’s Dharambad saw alleged irregularities where women were reportedly confined in a hall and paid to abstain from voting. Both BJP and Congress accused Shiv Sena of orchestrating it. District officials confirmed cash distribution reports and filed an FIR against the hall management. These results are crucial ahead of the municipal corporation elections, including the high-profile Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls on January 15, with counting on January 16. Around 3.48 crore voters will choose representatives for 2,869 seats, making these elections highly competitive. The BMC polls are expected to be a close battle between BJP and Shiv Sena, with allegations of voter manipulation and intense political rivalry. Sunday’s counting is seen as a key indicator of party strength and public sentiment ahead of next month’s major civic elections in Maharashtra.