Ward demarcation: MBMC to use satellite mapping

To minimize manual work, enhance transparency and avoid political interference, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), in adherence to Election Commission (EC) norms, is using tools like satellite mapping for redefining the border of wards.

While factors like population density and geographical uniformity have been considered, the 2011 census which registered a population of 8,14,655 has been taken into account while redrawing the electoral wards which along with the nature of reservation will be available at the click of the mouse once the new electoral map is finalized, officials said.

The rearrangements ahead of the civic polls in August, 2017 is likely to upset calculations of political parties and many sitting corporators whose fate will be decided on 27th April when the lottery of reservations will take place.

As per the new system, a MBMC panel would have four wards. Earlier, two wards constituted a panel.

As a result, the number of wards will remain 95, the number of panels will go down to 24 from 47.

However, the areas they cover might also change drastically. The worst hit is the west side of Bhayandar which will drop to 22 wards from the existing 28.

With a significant jump in their population, the number of wards reserved for Schedule Caste candidates is expected to rise to four from the current one.

As per the timeline, the MBMC will hold a lottery to declare the reservation for various wards on April 27, following which the administration will display areas of wards/reservations and will publish it in a gazette on April 29.