Maharashtra poll panel gives permission for BMC polls in February 2022

Mumbai: The State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday prepared for the civic polls in the city in February 2022. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the country's largest budget civic body, has been asked to start preparations.  Covid-19 protocols are kept in mind.  The SEC asked the BMC to initiate activities for delimitation of electoral wards or reconstruction of wards on the basis of population.  There are 227 electoral wards, of which 97 are currently held by the Shiv Sena, 83 by the BJP and 30 by the Congress. 

Determining the boundaries of wards based on population should take into account the latest census data.  However, no new data is available after the 2011 census to conduct a complete delimitation exercise.  Therefore, it is possible that some ward boundaries may undergo a correctional process for reconstruction.  This will ensure that there is no significant difference in the size of the population in the various wards and discrepancies in the voter list will be resolved. The SEC also asked the BMC to prepare a new voter list based on what was used for the 2019 state assembly elections. 

We have had a discussion with the BMC officials and asked them to start preparing for the BMC elections as per the schedule in February 2022.  We have asked them to start the delimitation process, but the final delimitation exercise has not been available since the 2011 census and new census data.  Madan said the Covid-19 protocols must be followed during "preparations" and when and when new instructions will be issued. Covid is needed based on the pandemic situation, Madan said.  SEC officials said the lottery for reserving wards for women and SC / STs would be taken up by the end of this year.

A major reason for the Covid crisis is that officials have been instructed to make arrangements to increase the number of polling booths.  There are about 7,900 designated booths and the BMC needs to be increased to 11,500 to reduce congestion.  Each booth is for 1,400-1,500 voters.  We have also been asked to ensure that Covid meets the appropriate standards when making adjustments in the proper process.  Prior to the 2017 BMC elections, the reservation lottery was held in 227 wards on October 3, 2016 and the delimitation of wards was officially announced.  While 50% of this is reserved for women candidates, there is a parallel reservation for SC, ST and OBC women among the women in these seats.