401 candidates filed papers so far: A day before deadline, 357 nominations filed for BMC polls

Election officials undergo hands-on training on operating Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) ahead of the upcoming BMC elections. (Express photo by Akash Patil)

With the process of nomination filing coming to an end on Tuesday, candidates across party lines made a beeline to submit their nominations for the civic polls on Monday with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) receiving 357 applications.

So far, the civic body has received 401 nomination papers from candidates eyeing to contest across Mumbai’s 227 electoral wards.

Starting December 23, the civic body commenced the distribution of nomination papers with officials stating that over 11,568 nomination documents were distributed over the past five days. While 401 nominations have been received thus far, records showed that 357 nomination papers were filed on Monday alone.

Records showed that on Monday, the highest number of nominations were filed in K/West (western pockets of Andheri, Vile Parle, Lokhandwala) and P/South (Goregaon) ward wherein 29 applications were received by the BMC, followed by N ward wherein 23 applications were filed and G South ward (Worli, Mahim) wherein 22 were filed.

In the A, B and C wards of South Mumbai, 23 applications were submitted by candidates while 61 applications were disbursed on Monday.

According to data, the least number of applications on Friday were received in R/Central ward wherein officials received four submissions, while F/South (Sewri) and S ward (Bhandup) received seven applications.

Tuesday marks the last day for hopeful candidates to file their applications, with the candidates expected to submit their nomination papers across 23 offices, spearheaded by 23 returning officers who have been appointed from the revenue department.

While filing their nominations, candidates are directed to submit essential documents, along with affidavits and mandated fees as per the Election Commission of India. In case of errors in filing, the civic body is eligible to cancel the nominations.

Following this, the scrutiny of nomination forms will commence on December 31, while the date for withdrawal of candidates has been set on January 2. With the election poised for January 15, the final list of contesting candidates will be issued January 3.