MUMBAI: With the BMC polls less than three months away, as the SEC prepares for the delayed elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which are likely to be held in January next year, the State Election Commission (SEC) faces many challenges, including a changed political landscape, new delimitation boundaries and a massive manpower crunch. According to a report in the Indian Express, a lot has changed in Maharashtra’s politics since the last BMC elections were held. For instance, both the Shiv Sena and the NCP witnessed a vertical split in their ranks with leaders from both sides switching loyalties. Therefore, the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai could turn out to be both a battle for prestige and survival for several key political units in the state.
Reservation for woman candidates
SEC officials stated that out of the 227 wards in the BMC, 113 or 114 could be reserved for woman candidates. “As per government rules, out of the 227 wards, 15 will be reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates, and two wards will be reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. Half of the wards, say 113 or 114, will be reserved for woman candidates and the rest will be kept unreserved,” a senior official told The Indian Express.
On October 6, the Maharashtra SEC and the BMC completed a key milestone in finalising the boundaries of all 227 municipal wards. Earlier this week, the SEC also announced that the lottery for the reservation of seats is set to take place on November 11. SEC officials said that while the number of wards that will be reserved is pre-decided, the lottery will decide which wards will be reserved during the elections.
Source: The Indian Express
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