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What happened
The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) is set to conduct local body elections in three phases starting December 2, 2025, as mandated by the Supreme Court. This initiative follows criticism from the opposition regarding errors in the electoral rolls. The SEC will use the electoral list from July 1, 2025, but first-time voters who turned 18 after January 2025 will be unable to vote. The SEC will publish draft voters' lists on November 20 and accept objections until November 27. While the SEC cannot add or delete names, it will identify duplicates using a tool that filters by name and gender. The final lists will be published by December 12. Despite these measures, opposition leaders express skepticism about the effectiveness of the process within the given timeframe.
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Key insights
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1
Election Timeline
Local body elections will occur in three phases starting December 2, 2025.
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2
Voter List Issues
Concerns include duplicate names and missing entries in the electoral rolls.
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3
Objection Process
SEC will accept objections on draft lists from November 20 to November 27.
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4
Opposition Concerns
Opposition questions the effectiveness of SEC's measures in a short timeframe.
Takeaways
The SEC's efforts to ensure fair elections in Maharashtra are crucial in addressing opposition concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, especially given the tight timeline.