The Maharashtra Election Commission announced the election schedule for local self-governing bodies. According to the announced schedule, the election symbol allocation date is November 26. On this day, the election officer will allot election symbols to all parties and independent candidates. However, it is being observed that candidates from various political parties have already begun campaigning with ‘their’ election symbols even before the election symbols have been allocated, while independent candidates are sitting idle, waiting for allotment of symbols to them.

 

It is noteworthy that the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) began campaigning with their election symbols the moment their nomination papers were filed on November 17, the last day of filing nominations. Following the filing of nominations, candidates from all the aforementioned political parties have put up large hoardings and banners with their election symbols in the city streets, including on social media. Now, the question arises that the election symbols of the candidates of political parties are already decided but how can the candidates who have filed nomination papers as independents campaign without election symbol. If the candidates of political parties have nothing to do with the date of election symbol allotment then why was the date of election symbol allotment announced along with the announcement of the election schedule.

 

In the Ramtek Municipal Council elections, Jyoti Kollepara of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Ramesh Karamore of the Congress, Bikendra Mahajan of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), Damodar Dhopate, and Akash Dhoble (both independents) are contesting for the post of President. In addition to the candidates for the post of President, a total of 59 candidates from the aforementioned political parties, and 12 independent candidates are contesting for the post of councilor. Candidates from political parties are aware of their party symbols and have begun campaigning through social media, hoardings, and banners. Furthermore, pamphlets with their tempting promises are reaching voters' homes, and the candidates themselves are going door-to-door seeking votes.

 

The independent candidates contesting the elections are awaiting the date of November 26 for the allotment of their election symbols. After receiving their election symbols on November 26, they have only five days to campaign, from November 17 to December 1. Candidates from political parties and local political analysts are surprised by different campaigning periods for independent candidates. According to information, the Municipal Council administration has granted permission to candidates from political parties to campaign and put up hoardings and banners. Informed sources said that when independent candidates requested the Chief Officer of the Municipal Council in this regard, he stated that only those with election symbols could campaign. The question now arises, if candidates from political parties can campaign, then what is the point of the election allotment date? Isn't this double standard unfair to independent candidates and a violation of the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct?