Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 20: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, alleging that nearly 96 lakh fake voters have been added to Maharashtra’s electoral rolls. Speaking at a rally in Mumbai’s Goregaon, Thackeray called for a postponement of upcoming local body elections until the voter list is thoroughly verified and approved by all political parties.

Addressing MNS booth-level workers, Thackeray described manipulated voter rolls as the biggest betrayal of democracy, claiming they reduce elections to "fixed contests" with pre-determined outcomes, regardless of genuine public participation.

Without naming them directly, Thackeray's criticism was largely aimed at the BJP-led MahaYuti alliance, which includes the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. He also reiterated his long-standing disapproval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, screening an old video where Modi, then in the opposition, had himself accused the Election Commission of bias.

Thackeray said the bogus voter entries were part of a strategy to undermine regional parties and manipulate electoral outcomes. According to him, the fake voter entries are concentrated in major urban centres:

• Mumbai: 8–10 lakh bogus voters
• Thane, Pune, Nashik: 8–8.5 lakh each

He claimed these tactics were already seen in the 2024 Assembly elections, where 232 MLAs were elected from the MahaYuti alliance, leaving even their own supporters “stunned” at the result. “People know how those victories were achieved,” he added.

Thackeray questioned why the ruling parties reacted defensively to his remarks directed at the Election Commission, suggesting this indicated a guilty conscience.

He also recalled raising concerns about electronic voting machines (EVMs) and flawed electoral rolls as far back as 2016–17, saying these issues have only worsened.

The MNS leader urged the Election Commission to act decisively and clean up the voter lists, warning that proceeding with flawed rolls would damage the credibility of elections and erode public trust.

As of now, the Election Commission has not responded to Thackeray’s allegations.

The controversy comes as Maharashtra gears up for crucial local body elections, further intensifying debate over electoral transparency and fairness in the state.