BMC elections: SEC seeks report after nominations rejected in three Colaba wards

The Maharashtra State Election Commission SEC on Thursday sought a detailed report from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation chief Bhushan Gagrani following allegations by some candidates that returning officers in south Mumbais Colaba area refused to accept their nomination forms for the BMC elections 2026 on the last day of the filing processAllegations linked to Colaba wards 225 226 227An official said the issue pertains to wards numbered 225 226 and 227 in the Colaba constituency where kin of BJP leader and Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar are in the fray for the January 15 civic pollsRahul Narwekarrsquos relatives contesting from key wardsRahul Narwekars brother Makrand Narwekar sister Gauri Shivalkar and sisterinlaw Harshita Shivalkar are contesting the civic polls from wards 225 226 and 227 The three filed their nomination papers on Tuesday in the presence of Rahul NarwekarMedia outrage prompts Election Commission actionBMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani had received complaints from some candidates alleging that returning officers in the three wards did not accept their nomination forms on the final day of submission After receiving complaints and in view of media outrage the commission has sought a report from Gagrani who is the election officer for civic polls in the metropolis a senior SEC official told PTISEC awaits BMC commissionerrsquos reportThe SEC could not confirm the names of the political parties that filed the complaints or the allegations levelled against any particular political figure adding that an appropriate call will be taken once the BMC commissioners report is receivedShiv Sena UBTMNS alliance candidate levels serious chargeMeanwhile Shiv Sena UBTMaharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS alliance candidate Babban Mahadik alleged the assembly speaker tried to threaten local officials to prevent the acceptance of nomination forms of some candidates reported PTIDespite being in the queue paying the security deposit and reaching the office before the deadline his nomination form from ward 226 was not accepted Mahadik told reportersSocial media claims suggest multiple candidates blockedAs per allegations doing the rounds on social media 12 candidates were prevented from filing their nomination forms in Colaba constituency on the last day These candidates alleged that pressure was exerted on officials with some independent candidates being threatened inside the nomination filing hallMakrand Narwekar denies allegations defends democratic processThe speakers brother and civic poll candidate Makrand Narwekar rubbished the allegationsSpeaker Rahul Narwekar was present at the election officers office only to support official BJP candidates We believe in fighting elections in a democratic and fair manner he said reported PTIKey dates for BMC elections 2026December 30 was the last date for filing nominations for BMC elections 2026 and 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra Polling is scheduled for January 15 with counting to be held on January 16With inputs from PTI