
Maharashtra: Election to two gram panchayats cancelled following allegations of post auctioning
The state election commission (SEC) has cancelled the process of election for two gram panchayats in north Maharashtra after the state machinery found substance in the reports of auctions for the post of village sarpanch and panchayat members. The election process for Umrane gram panchayat in Nashik and Khondamali gram panchayat in Nandurbar has been scrapped. Elections will be held for 14,234 gram panchayats on January 15.
State election commissioner UPS Madan said that the elections to these gram panchayats have been cancelled after reports by the district collector, election observers, sub-divisional officers and the scrutiny of documents and audio clips have established that auctions had taken place for the posts of sarpanchs and members. “The commission, therefore, has decided to cancel the election process in these two village bodies. We have also directed district police authorities to initiate action against the people involved in it under section 171 (C) of the Indian Penal Code and submit a report. Police have already registered a complaint regarding the auctions,” said Madan.
The commission had received several complaints after video and audio clips of the auctions in several villages went viral ahead of the filing of nominations for the posts of sarpanch and members. The commission said that such incidents are a violation of the code of conduct and fundamental principles of democracy, and hamper equal opportunity to all to contest the elections. Social activist Anna Hazare had criticised such incidents, calling them an “auction of democracy” and demanded the strictest action.
Additionally, the SEC has allowed Covid-19 affected people, those in isolation centres and people with symptoms to vote in the gram panchayat elections in the concluding 30 minutes on January 15.

Indira Nagar in Turbhe 1st Covid-free area in Navi Mumbai

Only 1 Covid death in 24 days in Bhiwandi

Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s statue unveiled in Mumbai

Placement offers withdrawn, IIT graduates look for jobs on social media

90% turn up again in Mumbai to take their shot against Covid-19

Fourth member of south Mumbai drug cartel held

Rise in turnout prompts Mumbai civic body to increase vaccination units

921 more birds dead in Maharashtra, count soars to 15,445

Bhiwandi man critical after he gets shot at over parking

NCB arrests Bhiwandi jeweller for financing production of MD

Maharashtra: Farmers start vehicle march from Nashik to Mumbai

11,500 offenders in Mumbai pledge to not commit crimes

Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil to hold statewide tour to expand party

Maharashtra education department announces RTE schedule, registrations open from Feb 9
