Mumbai: The highly anticipated Mumbai University Senate elections, which were scheduled for September 22, have been postponed. The decision comes following an official order from the Maharashtra government, putting the electoral process on hold until further notice.

In a detailed circular, Mumbai University explained that, in accordance with Section 28(2)(n) of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, the election notification for the registered graduates’ constituency was initially published on August 3, 2024.

This election was set to allow registered graduates to vote and elect their representatives to the Senate on September 22.

However, citing instructions from the state government, the university has announced the postponement of the election. The decision affects voters, candidates, election officials, polling station supervisors, and other administrative staff.

The university assured stakeholders that the election will remain on hold until further directives are received from the government.

This is not the first time the Mumbai University Senate elections have been postponed. The delay has drawn sharp criticism, especially from political leaders who see it as a deliberate attempt to disrupt democratic processes.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule was quick to condemn the move, accusing the ruling government of undermining democracy.

In a statement, Sule remarked, "This is the second time that the Mumbai University Senate elections have been postponed just days before voting. The current government seems terrified of facing elections, something Maharashtra has never witnessed before. But no matter how much they try to delay it, they cannot stop democracy from prevailing."