Overview On January 15, 2026 , Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra civic polls, terming it an attempt to "murder" democracy. The allegations center around the conduct of the elections to 29 municipal corporations in the state, including Mumbai . Key Developments Allegations of Irregularities Demand for Suspension: Uddhav Thackeray demanded the suspension of the State Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities. Anti-Constitutional Body: He dubbed the State Election Commission (SEC) an anti-constitutional body, questioning its impartiality. Misuse of Authority: Thackeray accused the ruling Mahayuti alliance of misusing authorities due to their alleged lack of performance. Duplicate Voters: He alleged the presence of duplicate voters, facilitated by the BJP and its allies. Voting Process Issues: Issues flagged include missing voter identity, lack of guidance for voters in Thane , and mismatched gender data on voter lists. ECI Agent Bias: Allegations were made that ECI agents in an MMR constituency displayed BJP candidates' names, influencing voters. Reactions and Implications Murder of Democracy: Thackeray stated that these irregularities constitute a "murder of democracy." One Nation One Election: He linked the alleged irregularities to the concept of "One Nation One Election," implying potential manipulation. Collusion Allegations: He alleged collusion between the poll body and the government. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant to GS2: Polity and Governance , specifically concerning elections, local governance, and the role of constitutional and statutory bodies. The allegations raise important questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the independence of election authorities. Potential UPSC Questions Discuss the role and responsibilities of State Election Commissions in ensuring free and fair local body elections. Analyze the challenges faced by election authorities in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. Evaluate the implications of allegations of electoral irregularities on democratic governance. Important Facts Date of Allegations: January 15, 2026 Number of Municipal Corporations: 29 Key Figure: Uddhav Thackeray , chief of Shiv Sena (UBT) Accusation: Irregularities in Maharashtra civic polls Demand: Suspension of the State Election Commissioner