One of the key contests announced is the bye-election for the Nagpur Local Authorities’ Constituency. The vacancy arose after Chandrashekhar Krishnaraoji Bawankule resigned from the MLC following his election as MLA in November 2024.
Representational image. (Photo: IANS)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday set the stage for a crucial round of Legislative Council elections in Maharashtra, announcing polling dates for one bye-election and 16 biennial MLC seats spread across key regions of the state. The announcement comes at a politically significant time, with several parties preparing for fresh contests in local authorities’ constituencies after prolonged delays in the election process.
According to the schedule released by the Election Commission, polling for all 17 Maharashtra Legislative Council seats will be held on June 18, while counting of votes is scheduled for June 22. The Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in all constituencies going to the polls.
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One of the key contests announced is the bye-election for the Nagpur Local Authorities’ Constituency.
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The vacancy arose after Chandrashekhar Krishnaraoji Bawankule resigned from the Maharashtra Legislative Council following his election to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in November 2024.
Officials said the term for the Nagpur seat will continue till January 1, 2028.
Alongside the Nagpur bye-election, the Election Commission announced biennial elections for 16 vacant Legislative Council seats from various Local Authorities’ Constituencies across Maharashtra.
The elections had remained pending because constitutional requirements linked to functioning local bodies and electoral representation had not been fulfilled earlier.
As per the Election Commission of India guidelines, elections to Local Authorities’ Constituencies can only be conducted if at least 75 per cent of local bodies in a constituency are functional and at least 75 per cent of eligible electors are in position.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra recently confirmed that the required criteria had now been met in all the constituencies, paving the way for the polls.
The Election Commission of India said the official notification for both the biennial elections and the Nagpur bye-election will be issued on May 25.
The last date for filing nominations has been fixed as June 1, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 2. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw nominations till June 4.
Polling will be conducted on June 18 between 8 am and 4 pm, followed by counting on June 22. The entire election process is expected to conclude by June 25.
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