MUMBAI: Owing to the forecast of heavy rain across Mumbai and Maharashtra amid onging heavy downpour and subsequent floods, the state government has postponed the elections to cooperative societies which have more that 250 members till September 30, a state cooperative department directive said on Friday.
Over 7,500 housing and credit societies which have memberships of more than 250 people will thus have to stay the elections till September end, however, it stated pointing out that there would not be any stay on those which are to be held in societies having less than 250 members. The directive points out the fact that overall public life has got badly crippled by the flood-like situation causing deaths of more than 88 people and around 181 animals.
Due to heavy rain, nearly 250 villages are badly affected and around 1,368 houses/apartments across the state have got damaged. Though NDRF and other agencies are working hard to save the lives and properties, the processes for elections due in a large number of cooperative societies might face several difficulties amid forecast of heavy showers besides affecting the turnout of voters. To avoid this and to ensure free and fair elections, we direct the postponement of elections till September 30. Normally monsoon gets over in the state by September 30.
