Mumbai University’s long-delayed Senate elections face fresh setbacks. Controversies over voter registration—including duplication, fraud, and legal disputes—led to last year’s voter list being annulled. The new list shows a sharp decline in registered voters. In March 2023, 1,22,000 graduates logged in to register for the Senate election process. However, after scrutiny, only 90,000 voters were finalised. After a new registration process, the number fell to 27,000, with just 13,406 confirmed as of Wednesday.

Santosh Gangurde, student activist and state chief organiser of Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena criticised the administration, saying, “This is pathetic; the university administration is trampling on the democratic rights of registered graduates. In the last three Senate elections, voter registration was 62,000 in 2018, 46,000 in 2010, and approximately 32,000 in 2005. Now, in July 2024, with only 13,406 voter registrations, the formation of part of the Senate of Mumbai University will depend on just 13,000 graduates. It is proven that Mumbai University is 30 years behind, and the university administration has brought an end to democracy, causing Rajabai Tower to bow its head in shame.”