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Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) general elections, candidates are now required to write an essay outlining their development plans in their nomination forms. Officials have made it clear that failure to provide the essay may lead to the rejection of the nomination.
All 2,516 candidates who filed nominations must write an essay of 100 to 150 words in which they have to explain how they plan to develop their local areas if elected. Election officials stated that the essay section is mandatory and should not be left blank.
The move is intended to ensure that voters can review candidates' development plans before the elections.
State Election Commission secretary Suresh Kakani said that this rule was first introduced in 2018 and had been used in by-polls, but it was never applied in a large-scale genera
l civic election
.
Some welcomed the decision, others criticised it, saying the rule was unnecessary.
BJP candidate Vinod Mishra from Malad (E) said that, as a former corporator, he already has a clear roadmap and pending projects he wants to complete, adding, "I have no trouble writing my plans down in the essay."
While Sheetal Mhatre, a former Congress corporator who lost in 2017, said that candidates already share pamphlets or booklets door-to-door, showing their work and promises. "I don't see the point of writing another essay," she added.
Former corporator Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh, who has family members contesting the elections, also expressed concern. "Today, housing societies and local groups grill candidates on multiple issues. An essay in the nomination form doesn't add much," he added.
The municipal elections will be held in a single phase on January 15 for 29 corporations in Maharashtra. The results will be declared on January 16.
Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare announced that elections will be conducted for as many as 2,869 seats, where 3.48 crore voters will be eligible to vote.
All 2,516 candidates who filed nominations must write an essay of 100 to 150 words in which they have to explain how they plan to develop their local areas if elected. Election officials stated that the essay section is mandatory and should not be left blank.
The move is intended to ensure that voters can review candidates' development plans before the elections.
State Election Commission secretary Suresh Kakani said that this rule was first introduced in 2018 and had been used in by-polls, but it was never applied in a large-scale genera
Some welcomed the decision, others criticised it, saying the rule was unnecessary.
BJP candidate Vinod Mishra from Malad (E) said that, as a former corporator, he already has a clear roadmap and pending projects he wants to complete, adding, "I have no trouble writing my plans down in the essay."
While Sheetal Mhatre, a former Congress corporator who lost in 2017, said that candidates already share pamphlets or booklets door-to-door, showing their work and promises. "I don't see the point of writing another essay," she added.
Former corporator Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh, who has family members contesting the elections, also expressed concern. "Today, housing societies and local groups grill candidates on multiple issues. An essay in the nomination form doesn't add much," he added.
The municipal elections will be held in a single phase on January 15 for 29 corporations in Maharashtra. The results will be declared on January 16.
Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare announced that elections will be conducted for as many as 2,869 seats, where 3.48 crore voters will be eligible to vote.
