BMC writes to State Election Commission, projects vulnerability over municipal body races

Mumbai: In anticipation of the third wave of Covid-19, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration has written to the State Election Commission (SEC) seeking suggestions on the upcoming 2022 civic body elections and preparations for it. . Following this, SMC called a meeting with BMC's election department next week. Before the election, the BMC administration notifies the wards according to the census. This is an award reservation exercise and redefines ward boundaries called delimitation.

These preparations are based on the latest census numbers to determine the demographic strength of each region. However, BMC officials said they have no access to the latest population data, as work on the 2021 census has not yet begun due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The census could not take place amid contagious diseases. It is not clear whether the election will be based on the 2011 census numbers. In addition, no changes have been made to the electoral ward reservation or delimitation of wards. "Even though we have started preparations now, it will take a lot of time to complete this exercise because there are only nine months left until the election," said an official from BMC's election department.

Last week, the department's SEC chief, UPS Madan, wrote a letter asking for instructions on preparations for the upcoming elections. A meeting between Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhaid and department officials was held on Friday on preparations and challenges ahead. The state election commission will decide whether to postpone the elections or hold them on schedule,” said Sunil Dham, joint municipal commissioner.

We sought clarification on whether the voting would be held as per the schedule or postponed. If elections are to be held next year, we will have to follow the Covid-19 guidelines as we prepare to vote,” an official said. If the election is postponed, the Municipal Commissioner will become the Administrator. 

Navi Mumbai and Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporations are already run by administrators. The last time the BMC election was postponed was in 1990 when the term of the corporation was extended to two years. Later, however, the law changed. Under the new law, if the term of the corporation expires, it will not be extended but will be directed by the civic body of the commissioner acting as administrator. The BMC has 227 seats.

There will be no change in the number of electoral wards but due to the change in ward boundaries. In 2017, the Shiv Sena returned to power in the country's richest municipal corporation. Of the 227-member corporation, the Sena has 97 corporators and the BJP 83.