Mumbai News LIVE Updates: First phase of local body polls to see Mahayuti-MVA clash

Mumbai News LIVE Updates: SEC`s decision to put off local body polls a political arrangement: Shiv Sena (UBT)

In a swipe at the Mahayuti government, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday described the postponement of the December 2 polling in some local bodies as a political arrangement intended to get more time for future elections and aided by the poll body. Elections to 24 out of 288 local bodies, earlier scheduled on December 2, were deferred to December 20 in view of judicial appeals filed against the decisions of Returning Officers following the scrutiny of nomination papers. The State Election Commission`s (SEC) decision, announced on Saturday, comes in light of irregularities observed in the election process of some local bodies, including the timeline for withdrawal of nominations and the allocation of election symbols: PTI

Mumbai News LIVE Updates: Civic poll directives have caused `confusion`, says Maharashtra BJP chief, urges SEC to clarify

Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan on Monday urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to review and clarify revised election-related directives for postponing the polls in some civic bodies, claiming that recent orders had caused "confusion". Chavan, in a letter to the SEC, said that the polls for municipal councils were in their final stages, with campaigning concluding on Monday night and polling scheduled for Tuesday, but its latest directives have created uncertainties for candidates: PTI

Mumbai News LIVE Updates: SEC introduces duplicate-voter marking and mobile app

In a bid to ensure transparency, the SEC has marked suspected duplicate voters with double stars, requiring strict ID checks at polling stations. A new mobile application has also been launched to provide details about candidates, including affidavits. Meanwhile, elections for 29 municipal corporations (including Mumbai), 32 Zilla Parishads and 336 Panchayat Samitis are still pending and must be held before 31 January, as directed by the Supreme Court

Mumbai News LIVE Updates: Major political test for ruling Mahayuti and Opposition MVA

The elections are being closely watched as an indicator of political sentiment after the BJP-led Mahayuti’s sweeping victory in the 2024 assembly elections. The ruling alliance--BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP--faces the Opposition MVA comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and Congress. The BJP has already secured 100 councillor seats and three municipal presidents unopposed