Civic body awaiting nod from state election commission for ward modification
This picture has been used for representational purpose
While there is still uncertainty over the schedule of BMC election slated for 2022, the process of ward restructuring and awareness to update voters registration has started at the administration level. The civic body has compiled data regarding ward restructuring and is waiting for a nod from the state election commission.
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The preparation for the election is going on in full swing. The ruling party has started inauguration of projects while the opposition is levelling allegations of corruption. The term of the current corporation will end in the first week of March. Generally, elections are held in February, but this time there is still confusion over the schedule due to COVID-19 pandemic as well as the row over OBC quota.
The BMC recently completed compilation of data on restructuring 227 electoral wards in the city. The Congress and Shiv Sena have demanded for rectification of wards. “But since no new census data after 2011 is available and there aren’t any big changes in topography, there may be hardly a few changes in some of the electoral wards,” said a corporator from the BJP.
“Our exercise related to restructuring of wards is complete and we will submit it after getting instruction from the election commission. The suggestions and objections on the restructuring will be carried out as per the instruction of the commission,” said Suresh Kakani, additional commissioner of BMC. The process of preparing a new voters’ list on the basis of the 2019 state Assembly election has also kicked off. “The paperwork started two months ago. We are not sure about the schedule, but it will surely depend on the pandemic. Though the cases are not increasing as of now, the next few months are crucial,” said a civic official.
The boundaries of electoral wards change once in 10 years on the basis of the census and population division. The redrawing of wards took place before the last corporation election held in 2017 on the basis of the 2011 census with an average population of 50,000 to 55,000 per ward. After the recalibration, the number of wards decreased in the southern part of the city and increased in western and eastern suburbs. However, the Sena and Congress alleged the redrawing affected them in poll results, and hence demanded rectification of wards.
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