Maharashtra Government Delays Co-operative Society Elections Due to 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

The Maharashtra State Government has decided to push back the election process for co-operative societies until May 31, 2024, citing the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

According to details from a government order obtained by Pune Pulse, out of the 93,342 co-operative societies eligible for elections by the end of 2023, elections for 50,238 societies have already been completed. Currently, the election process for 10,783 societies is ongoing, while 20,130 societies still need to conduct their elections. Additionally, 7,827 societies are slated for elections in 2024.

Due to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, officers and employees from the cooperative department have been assigned to pre-election duties by the respective collectors. This has resulted in vacancies at various levels within the cooperative department.

To ensure that all cooperative society elections proceed smoothly, transparently, and without fear, the state government has decided to postpone elections as per Section 73 of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960. This postponement applies to all societies except those where the nomination process has begun or where the Supreme/High Court has ordered elections to proceed. Elections for these societies will be delayed until May 31, 2024, based on their current stage as of the date of the government order.

The government order can be found on the Maharashtra government’s website www.maharashtra.gov.in, with reference number 202402291213200202.