Distribution of mayoral nomination begins on Feb 4

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The elections for mayor and deputy mayor of the municipal corporation will be held on February 10 at 11 am, according to the election schedule announced by the municipal administration on Thursday. The distribution of nomination forms will begin on February 4 from 10 am through the secretariat section of the corporation. Forms can be collected until February 6 at 3 pm, which is also the final deadline for submission, set at 6 pm on the same day.

On February 10 at 11 am, a special meeting of the corporation will be convened under the chairmanship of presiding officer and district collector Deelip Swami. He will first scrutinise the nomination forms received. Candidates will be allowed 15 minutes to withdraw their nominations.

The names of candidates contesting for mayor and deputy mayor will be announced in Marathi alphabetical order. During voting, corporators present may raise their hands in support of their chosen candidate, and the votes will be recorded in the official proceedings. The record will also note any corporator who abstains from voting.

In the event of a tie, the presiding officer will decide the winner by drawing lots, with the decision on who will draw made by majority vote of the municipal members. The candidate whose name is drawn will be declared elected, as per the election schedule.

Political developments accelerate

In the municipal corporation elections, the BJP has secured the highest number of seats, 57, needing just one more vote to achieve a majority. The party may ally with Shinde Sena, which holds 13 seats. BJP has not yet finalised its candidate for mayor. In recent days, interested party members have been actively lobbying to secure the nomination.

Meanwhile, the MIM party has 33 members in the Corporation. Taking this into consideration, BJP is expected to strategically select its candidate for the mayor’s post.