Maharashtra civic elections 2026: Give info on netas who won unopposed, says SEC

MNS chief Raj Thackeray said he had never seen so many candidates elected unopposed before. File pic

The State Election Commission (SEC) has sought a detailed report on all cases where candidates have been elected unopposed in the ongoing municipal elections across Maharashtra.

According to unconfirmed media reports and political circles, 70 candidates have been elected unopposed so far. The BJP leads the tally with 44 unopposed winners, followed by Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena with 22. Ajit Pawar's NCP has two such candidates, while two others belong to smaller parties or independents.

A senior official from the SEC, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the commission routinely seeks reports whenever a candidate is elected unopposed. "The SEC always calls for a report in such cases. This is the standard procedure. In the present instance as well, a detailed report has been sought," the official said.

When asked about the number of candidates who may have won as corporator and that too unopposed, the official said the final figure is not yet clear. "Until the report is submitted and approved, officials have been instructed not to declare any winners," the SEC official added.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was taken aback with the development. "I have seen many elections, but I have never seen one where so many candidates have been elected unopposed," Raj mentioned while reacting to the development.

Even Shiv Sena UBT leader and Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut termed slammed the BJP led alliance partners and their ruling regime for this outcome. "Candidates are threatened and forced to withdraw from the polls. This is nothing but misuse of power," Raut added.

44
BJP candidates reportedly elected unopposed

22
Shiv Sena (Shinde) candidates who won unopposed

2
NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidates who won unopposed