Shiv Sena, NCP, and BJP have presented their demands to the Election Commission regarding Maharashtra assembly elections, focusing on polling phases, expenditure limits, and scheduling. Officials are reviewing state readiness. MUMBAI: While the Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar demanded on Friday that the Election Commission (EC) should hold the Maharashtra assembly elections in a single phase and the expenditure limit for candidates be increased, the BJP said the polls should be held during weekdays - Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday - and not on weekends or holidays.
Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, are on a two-day visit to the city to review the state's poll preparedness. They held meetings with chief secretary Sujata Saunik, DGP Rashmi Shukla and other secretaries and met representatives of various political parties. Sena functionary Rahul Shewale said, "We have told them that the election expenditure should be increased for candidates by Rs 20 lakh from the current Rs 40 lakh to Rs 60 lakh because costs have increased.
All parties, including us, have demanded that polls be held in a single phase." NCP minister Anil Patil said, "We met EC officials and told them that polls must be held in a single phase and expenditure limit must be increased. We also told them that when code of conduct violation offences are registered, candidates must be informed beforehand.
" BJ.