Maharashtra Civic Polls: New 4-Member Panel System Baffles Voters, Causes Delays

• A new four-member panel system for civic body elections in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) caused widespread confusion among voters.
• Instead of a single vote, voters had to select individual candidates for four seats within each panel, leading to procedural hiccups.
• Despite awareness campaigns, many voters, especially the elderly and first-timers, struggled with the complex process, causing delays at polling stations.
• In Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli, polling officials frequently explained the process, and voters were hesitant due to unfamiliarity with confirmation beeps.
• Navi Mumbai experienced technical glitches, with some EVM buttons malfunctioning, further compounding voter frustration; Ulhasnagar, having used a similar system in 2017, saw smoother polling.

Why It Matters: The new 4-member panel system in Maharashtra civic polls led to voter confusion, delays, and technical issues.