As we gear up for the local body elections, we see an unprecedented pattern in it giving too many red flags. The state of Maharashtra is witnessing a deeply troubling development in its local body elections, one that raises serious questions about the health of Indian democracy. Nearly 70 candidates from the ruling Mahayuti alliance have reportedly been elected unopposed, an occurrence that opposition leaders describe as unprecedented in the state’s political history.
Avinash Jadhav, district head of the Maharashtra NavnirmanSena (MNS) for Thane and Palghar, has moved the Bombay High Court, calling this trend a “dangerous precedent” that undermines the constitutional right of citizens to choose their representatives.
As of now, out of 68 unopposed seats, the ruling party – BJP won 44, the key alliance Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured 22, while the next key alliance AjitPawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) accounted for the remaining two. In this article, we will be analysing as to how there is a foul play in the very festival of Democracy called elections. Let’s begin:
Allegations of Coercion, Bribery, and Institutional Misuse
It is interesting to see, as Jadhav alleges, that the ruling party is getting unopposed victories, which doesn’t seem to be accidental or procedural anomalies but the result of systematic coercion, bribery, and misuse of election machinery to push Opposition candidates out of the race.
He claims, “In the past, one or two unopposed wins happened due to technical errors like incorrect forms. But nearly 70 unopposed wins cannot be coincidence. This is a direct threat to democracy.”
He also claims that in several instances, Opposition candidates were either pressured to withdraw nominations or had their papers arbitrarily rejected, effectively clearing the field for ruling alliance candidates without a contest.
Disturbing Ground-Level Incidents
Citing specific cases from Thane and surrounding regions, Jadhav points to incidents that suggest partisan conduct by officials and possible police involvement.
In one case, a Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate who had filed the official party nomination (AB form) reportedly withdrew his candidature at the last moment. A video allegedly shows the candidate being escorted by a police officer to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s residence and later to the election office, where he formally withdrew.
“What does this indicate?” Jadhav asks. “Either pressure or inducement – there is no other explanation.”
In another case, Jadhav claims that a candidate received a call at 2 a.m., offering ₹5 crore to withdraw from the election.
Arbitrary Rejection of Nomination Papers
Jadhav also highlighted alleged procedural manipulation by election officials. He cited the case of Prachi Gadge, an opposition candidate in Thane, who was summoned to clarify a minor discrepancy related to her address after marriage.
Despite arriving at the election office before the deadline, Gadge reportedly had to wait while officials took a breakfast break. When she finally submitted her documents, she was told the deadline had passed and her nomination was rejected.
Legally, Jadhav argues, nomination forms can only be rejected under limited conditions:Missing proposer or seconder signatures, Absence of the candidate’s signature, and Blank affidavit details. “A wrong or updated address is not among them,” he said.
Court Intervention and Demand for Independent Probe
While the State Election Commission has ordered an internal inquiry, the Opposition leaders like Jadhav remains sceptical and has demanded a court-monitored investigation, preferably by a retired judge or a High Court-appointed panel.
With elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), scheduled for January 15, Jadhav believes judicial intervention is critical to restore public confidence.
‘Democracy Is on Sale’
Jadhav does not mince words in describing the situation:“Democracy is on sale in Maharashtra. Voters know their rights are being snatched away.”
He warns that if this pattern continues, Opposition parties may soon find themselves unable even to file nominations, let alone contest elections.
“This daylight robbery of elections is happening in Mumbai, the commercial capital of India. Imagine what will happen in the interiors of the country,” he cautioned.
Questions Over Institutional Independence
Responding to concerns about the neutrality of election authorities, Jadhav pointed out that local municipal employees are deputed as election officials during polls and later return to working under ruling-party-controlled municipal bodies.
“These returning officers work with councillors of the ruling party throughout the year. Expecting absolute independence in such a system is unrealistic,” he said.
A Dangerous Precedent for Indian Democracy
While similar allegations were raised during previous elections, Jadhav argues that the current situation marks a new and more dangerous phase, where victories are being engineered even before polling day.
“This is not just about one election or one party,” he said. “This is about the future of electoral democracy in India.”
As the courts examine the matter, the larger question remains: Can democracy survive when elections are won without voters ever being allowed to vote?
A Test for Democracy Itself
The unfolding events in Maharashtra’s local body elections represent far more than a procedural dispute; they strike at the very core of democratic governance. When candidates are elected without contest, not by public mandate but through alleged coercion, manipulation, and institutional complicity, the idea of free and fair elections stands severely compromised.
If left unchecked, such practices risk normalising a system where outcomes are engineered before ballots are cast, rendering voters irrelevant. Judicial scrutiny, transparency, and accountability are no longer optional; they are imperative. The credibility of India’s democratic framework now hinges on whether institutions can rise above political pressure and reaffirm that power flows from the people, not from intimidation, money, or administrative control.
[MohdZiyauallah Khan is a freelance content writer & editor based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.]