Maharashtra Civic Polls See Introduction of PADU Backup and Extended Door-to-Door Campaigning

Ahead of Maharashtra's municipal elections on January 15-16, the State Election Commission (SEC) introduced Printing Auxiliary Display Units (PADUs) as backup devices for vote counting in case of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) glitches. While officials emphasized PADUs would be used only in rare technical failures and demonstrated them to party representatives, opposition leaders, including MNS chief Raj Thackeray, criticized the late introduction and alleged lack of transparency. The SEC also allowed limited door-to-door campaigning after the official campaign period, prompting concerns about rule changes and potential misuse ahead of polls in 29 municipal corporations.