Politics
Thane Candidate Disclosures Under Revised Affidavit Rules Compared With Other Maharashtra Cities
Thane residents will review candidate asset and liability filings through the state election portal ahead of the municipal corporation polls, following the same format applied in Pune and Nashik.
How we reported this
The Election Commission of India’s 2026 revised affidavit format requires all candidates contesting Thane Municipal Corporation seats to file detailed statements of movable and immovable assets, liabilities, and criminal cases through a single online portal. The change applies uniformly to local body elections across Maharashtra and takes effect for nominations filed after 1 August 2026.
Thane Municipal Corporation last held elections in 2022, when 131 wards were contested. The new rules replace the earlier paper-based system used in 2022 and align Thane’s process with the digital filing already required in Pune and Nashik municipal elections held in 2024. Policy analysts note that the portal will allow residents to search filings by ward number or candidate name.
Impact on daily services and costs
Residents in Thane’s Kalwa, Wagle Estate and Naupada wards will be able to check whether candidates own property within the municipal limits or outside the city. Local advocates note that this information can indicate whether a candidate’s stated priorities for road repairs or water supply upgrades match their declared assets. The Thane Municipal Corporation 2025-26 budget allocated Rs 1,240 crore for infrastructure works, and candidates must now declare any contracts they or their immediate family members hold with the corporation.
The legislation states that incomplete filings will result in rejection of nomination papers. In Pune’s 2024 elections, 14 candidates were disqualified for failing to disclose full asset details under the same rules. Thane election officials have projected similar scrutiny for the 2027 cycle, when 131 wards will again be contested.
Next steps for voters and candidates
Candidates must upload scanned copies of property documents and bank statements by the last date for filing nominations. The portal will remain open for public viewing until the declaration of results. The government says the policy will reduce duplicate filings and speed up verification by returning officers.
Thane residents can access the portal through the Maharashtra State Election Commission website once the notification for the polls is issued. No additional local budget allocation has been announced for the new filing system.