Reminder: Co-opted Committee Members Capped at One-Third, Seven-Day Notice for Nominations
Rules reported for Maharashtra housing societies require seven days' notice before filling committee vacancies by co-option, limit nominated members to one-third of committee strength, and end a co-opted member's term with the committee's. Committees should follow the sequence.
No fresh circular or court ruling on this subject emerged in the last 48 hours, so this is a reminder of rules on filling committee vacancies. According to a Free Press Journal report dated 7 March 2026, the state's rules for cooperative housing societies set out how a managing committee may fill vacancies without a full election.
What the report says
A casual vacancy arises when a committee member dies, resigns, is disqualified, is removed or becomes incapacitated. The report says such vacancies are filled by the managing committee itself. In societies with more than 250 members, the process is governed by the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Election to Committee) Rules, 2014.
For the nomination process, the secretary or an authorised person issues a seven-day notice on the society's notice board. After scrutiny, valid candidates are placed before the managing committee. If candidates outnumber the vacancies, the committee decides by majority vote.
Limits on co-opted members
Nominated (co-opted) members may not exceed one-third of the committee's total strength at any time during its tenure. A co-opted member serves only for the remainder of the existing committee's term. Co-option is a stop-gap and does not extend anyone's tenure.
What this means for housing societies
- Display the seven-day notice on the notice board and keep a dated copy, so the process can be shown to the Registrar if challenged.
- Count existing co-opted members before filling a new vacancy, to stay within the one-third cap.
- Record scrutiny of each candidate and the majority vote in the committee minutes.
- Large societies (over 250 members) should check the 2014 election rules before acting.
The article was published when the rules were described as likely to be cleared soon, and it does not state rule numbers, form numbers or a commencement date. Committees should confirm the final notified text and its effective date before relying on these details.
For informational purposes
This news summary is based on publicly available information and is intended for general awareness only. It does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your society, consult a qualified legal advisor or housing society consultant familiar with your situation.
Want the deeper picture?
Our blog covers the legal context, member rights, and practical steps behind every CHS issue in Maharashtra.
Browse all articles