Shree Bhairavnath Multi-State Cooperative Credit Society Limited, based in Satara, Maharashtra, citing procedural lapses.
The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) has ordered the re-conduct of elections for Shree Bhairvnath Multi-State Cooperative Credit Society Limited, based in Satara, Maharashtra, citing procedural lapses.
The society failed to display the election program, voter list, and other mandatory documents on its website, as required by the CEA’s order dated 12th September 2024.
Despite having over 10,000 members across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat, the society lacks an official website. The election program was inadequately publicized in local newspapers, and all 21 directors were elected unopposed. Notably, their postal addresses revealed they resided in the same taluka, raising transparency concerns.
Society Chairman Balkrishna Moholkar expressed willingness to comply with the CEA’s directives. Speaking to Indian Cooperative, he stated, “We obey the decision of both the Returning Officer and the CRCS and are ready to re-conduct the election process.” He clarified that most shareholders are from Satara district and contested the elections voluntarily.
Moholkar also confirmed that the society has now launched a website and uploaded the revised election program to align with the CEA’s requirements.
The Returning Officer’s recommendations, submitted on 28th November 2024, were rejected by the CEA, which issued a revised election schedule. The finalized voter list, dated 22nd November 2024, remains unchanged, ensuring eligible members can participate in the re-conducted election.
The Returning Officer has been instructed to strictly adhere to the CEA’s directives, including prominently displaying election-related documents on the society’s website and ensuring wide publicity of the revised election schedule.
The new election process will begin on 6th January 2025 with the filing of nominations. Voting, if required, will take place on 19th January 2025, and results for the board members will be announced on 24th January 2025.
The CEA has emphasized the need for transparency and broad publicity to ensure a free and fair election. Shree Bhairvnath Multi-State Cooperative Credit Society, which has a business mix of approximately Rs. 205 crore, has assured compliance with these guidelines for a transparent election process.
