Mumbai, Nov 4 (NationPress) Opposition factions vehemently condemned the Maharashtra State Election Commission’s (SEC) decision to schedule elections for 246 nagar parishads and 42 nagar panchayats on December 2 without addressing issues of duplicate and bogus voters in the electoral rolls.

Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, who participated in a morcha with the Maha Vikas Aghadi on November 1 calling for a delay in the local body elections to rectify the voter list, expressed his strong disapproval of the SEC’s actions. He stated that after watching the SEC’s press conference, he is fully convinced that the Election Commission, while theoretically autonomous, is nothing more than a puppet under the control of those in power.

“If the Election Commission cannot even respond to questions regarding duplicate registrations and other irregularities in the voter lists, then what is the purpose of this commission?” Thackeray questioned rhetorically.

He urged the public, “Citizens of Maharashtra, please pay attention to the SEC's press conference. You will see clearly where the flagrant disrespect towards your vote is originating from.”

Rohit Pawar, a legislator from NCP(SP), stated that the SEC should prioritize conducting clean elections with an accurate voter list but suggested that there are external pressures on the commission. “What will happen to voters registered multiple times? The SEC has responded that they will assign double stars to these names. This implies they are aware of the duplicates. Will they release a list of those with multiple names?” he inquired.

Pawar further requested that the election body publish this list in the coming days.

Sachin Sawant, the chief spokesperson for the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, emphasized the essential role of political parties in maintaining democracy, noting that the electoral process cannot proceed without them.

“When all opposition parties unite to call for cleansing the voter list, it is the Election Commission's responsibility to take action. Even the ruling party acknowledges this, with the Chief Minister and opposition leaders advocating for the voter list to be annulled. So, what is the issue?” he queried.

Ambadas Danve, a leader from Shiv Sena UBT and former opposition leader, pointed out that the SEC's election schedule for 246 nagar parishads and 42 nagar panchayat elections neglects the public's sentiments.

“The SEC's revelation about duplicate voters is unjustifiable. If names are being marked, and duplicates are known, they should be filtered out without requiring voter input; names should reflect where voters reside, and those without valid listings should be removed,” he argued.

NCP SP member Nilesh Lanke asserted that democracy survives only through transparent elections. “There are numerous duplicate voters on the list. We demand transparency in the voting list before elections are held. Yet, elections have been announced. We will highlight this governmental failure to voters, which will work to our advantage,” he stated.

Meanwhile, ruling Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Gaikwad expressed significant dissatisfaction with the SEC's handling of duplicate voters. “The SEC has announced elections, but we are not content with the measures taken regarding duplicates. In Buldhana alone, there are thousands of voters with duplicate names. Is the poll panel really going to collect affidavits from countless voters across the state? Would it not have been better to remove these names? What harm would it have caused to delay elections by ten days?” he remarked.