What Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said about Bombay High Court's order on local body election vote count
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reacting to the order of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court to conduct the local body election vote count on December 21 instead of December 3, said that this is indeed a surprising decision.
Speaking to media persons here, the Chief Minister said, "I have never seen this happen in local body elections. Since this decision has come from the court, I cannot comment on it. Everyone will have to accept and follow the court's decision."
Fadnavis said, "First, the State Election Commission rescheduled local body elections in several districts at the last minute a few days ago. And now the vote count has been postponed." He said that he requests the Commission to ensure that all upcoming local body elections are not affected by uncertainties arising from procedural issues.
Voting for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats across Maharashtra concluded on Tuesday. As per the Election Commission's order, counting of votes was to take place on Wednesday and the results were to be declared on the same day.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, however, today directed that counting be conducted only after all voting is completed. The bench also said that local body elections will be held on the same dates as scheduled, although counting and declaration of results will take place on December 21.
The court directed that the Model Code of Conduct must be followed until the results are declared and no exit polls will be permitted until then.