The formal process to elect mayors and deputy mayors across Maharashtra’s municipal corporations has gathered pace after the mayoral reservation lottery was conducted on January 22. The draw clarified that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will get a woman mayor from the general category, making the Mumbai mayoral race one of the most keenly followed civic developments this year. Along similar lines, women candidates will also be eligible to take charge as mayors in other prominent municipal corporations, including Pune, Nagpur and Nashik, marking a significant moment for women’s representation in urban local governance.
With the reservation confirmed, attention has now shifted to the election timeline. In Mumbai, the election for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor is likely to be held on January 30 or January 31. The final decision regarding the exact date will be taken by the Municipal Secretary of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. In the remaining 28 municipal corporations across the state, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will also be elected on the same day. However, the authority to finalise the date and timing for these elections will rest with the respective Divisional Commissioners.
The selection process will begin with the filing of nominations by aspiring corporators. Candidates from all 29 municipal corporations will be required to submit their nomination forms to the Municipal Secretary between January 27 and January 28. Once the nomination period closes, the applications will undergo scrutiny as per established procedures. The actual election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will then take place during the first general meeting of the newly elected corporators, marking the official commencement of the new civic leadership.
A detailed schedule has already been outlined for the entire process. On January 23, the Municipal Secretary will forward a proposal to the Divisional Commissioner seeking approval to convene a meeting for the mayoral elections. On January 24 and 25, the Divisional Commissioner will decide the date of the first meeting and appoint the presiding officer. The nomination process will follow on January 27 and 28, while the final election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor is scheduled to be held on January 30 or 31.