Nagpur:The long-pending civic body elections in Maharashtra are likely to be held after Diwali, confirmed State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare. Speaking to Media, Waghmare said the elections would be conducted phase-wise, though the sequence of civic bodies has not yet been decided.
The elections, pending for the past three years, were delayed due to unresolved issues surrounding OBC reservation and disputes over the ward system. Both matters have now been resolved, bringing relief to political parties and voters alike.
Ward System Dispute
In the 2017 civic polls, elections were held under the four-prabhag system. However, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government proposed a three-prabhag system, which was opposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. The matter reached the Supreme Court, which upheld the four-prabhag system.
Gold Rate
18 Aug 2025
Separate Polls, Long Schedule
Waghmare clarified that it would not be feasible to conduct polls for Municipal Corporations, Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, and Municipal Councils simultaneously.
“We have to conduct all the polls separately, and it will take more than three and a half months, considering manpower availability and other factors,” he said.
The ward delimitation process for Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis is expected to be finalised soon. Divisional Commissioners will review and hear suggestions and objections from voters before the final notification.
Winter Session Not Affected
On concerns about whether elections could disrupt the Nagpur winter session of the Maharashtra legislature, Waghmare assured that the model code of conduct will apply only to election-bound areas, not statewide.
“The winter session will be held as usual,” he stated.
Questions People Ask Us
Q1: When are civic body elections likely to be held in Maharashtra?
The elections are expected to be conducted after Diwali 2025, in a phase-wise manner.
Q2: Why were civic polls delayed for three years?
They were delayed due to disputes over OBC reservation and the ward system, both of which are now resolved.
Q3: What is the prabhag system dispute about?
The Uddhav Thackeray government pushed for a three-prabhag system, while BJP and allies supported the four-prabhag system. The Supreme Court cleared the four-prabhag model.
Q4: Will all civic polls be held together?
No. Polls for Municipal Corporations, Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, and Municipal Councils will be held separately, spanning over three and a half months.
Q5: Will elections affect the Nagpur winter session of the legislature?
No. The model code of conduct will only apply to election areas, so the winter session will proceed as scheduled.
