Fake votes, cash-for-votes mar Maharashtra local polls; SIT probes
Fake votes, cash-for-votes mar Maharashtra local polls; SIT probes
Poll chaos hits Maharashtra local body elections as police investigate fake voting, voter-list irregularities, and cash-for-votes across Ambernath and other towns ahead of results.
Maharashtra's local body polls held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, across 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats faced chaos as allegations of bogus voting, voter list irregularities, impersonation, and cash distribution surfaced. Police action and special investigations were launched in several districts as results were expected on December 21.
Ambernath saw authorities detain 208 women allegedly brought from Bhiwandi to cast fake votes at Krishna Marriage Hall. A senior election official said the inquiry began in the morning after a midnight tip-off, and a special investigation team was formed. Identity checks are underway with the election department assisting the probe. The incident triggered tension at polling centers, with rival groups clashing over EVM tampering claims and cash-for-votes allegations, prompting a mild lathi-charge at one location.
In Panvel, a voter list controversy raised eyebrows after a man was listed as the father of 268 voters, and names tied to non-local youths from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were flagged, raising concerns about duplicates and phantom addresses.
In Nanded district's Dharmabad, polling was disrupted when reports said voters were confined in a marriage hall while money was distributed. Police rescued the detained voters and dispersed the crowd. Tensions escalated between party leaders including the BJP and Ajit Pawar's NCP and the NCP(SP).
Counting was expected to begin at 10 am on Sunday, with results for all 286 councils and nagar panchayats to be declared by December 21. Turnout was reported around 47% in several centers, according to early figures from counting centers, as observers noted a mix of unopposed contests and incidents that affected the process. The results will determine political control across the municipal bodies and offer an early read on the strength of the Mahayuti versus the opposition MVA bloc.
Election officials said the department is assisting investigations and a SIT is expected to submit a report soon. The incidents highlight ongoing concerns about electoral integrity and policing has been used to maintain order while investigations continue.
