In a decisive move ahead of the crucial civic body elections, Maharashtra's State Election Commissioner (SEC) Dinesh Waghmare has issued strict directives to district and police administrations across the state. The orders mandate the enforcement of rigorous preventive measures to guarantee peaceful polling and counting for the upcoming municipal council and nagar panchayat elections scheduled for December 20 and 21.
High-Level Reviews and Clear Directives
The instructions followed a series of detailed video conferences held over two days. Waghmare personally reviewed the preparedness with district collectors, police commissioners, superintendents of police, and election officers. He left no room for ambiguity, emphasizing that the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful polling and counting is non-negotiable. The SEC warned that any untoward incident would be met with immediate and strict punitive action against those responsible.
To combat the spread of false information, authorities have been instructed to maintain transparent communication. Voters, candidates, political parties, and media personnel must be kept promptly informed about any enforcement actions taken on the ground. This proactive approach aims to prevent misinformation and misperceptions from clouding the electoral process.
Coordinated Efforts for Polling and Counting Days
The election schedule presents a unique logistical challenge. While polling on December 20 will be conducted in limited locations, the counting of votes for all 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats will be held simultaneously across the state on December 21. Waghmare highlighted that this would demand exceptionally close coordination between police forces and other government agencies, particularly in the sensitive period following the declaration of results.
Other senior officials present in the meetings reiterated this point, stressing the necessity for seamless inter-agency coordination on counting day. They also underscored the importance of effective management of situations that may arise post-results to maintain public order.
Strict Enforcement of Campaign Blackout
A critical directive from the SEC concerns the enforcement of the campaign silence period. Waghmare reminded all officials that election campaigning through electronic or print media is prohibited after 10 pm on December 19, which is the eve of polling. He ordered that this restriction must be strictly enforced without exception.
Officials have been tasked with ensuring the wide dissemination of these campaign blackout instructions at their respective levels, so all political stakeholders are fully aware of the rules. "Officials must plan meticulously and act decisively against any wrongdoing," Waghmare asserted during the review meetings.
Pune District in Focus
In Pune district, the elections will see polling for the Baramati Municipal Council and the Phursungi-Uruli Devachi Nagar Panchayat. Additionally, by-elections for select seats will be conducted in local bodies in Talegaon Dabhade, Lonavla, and Daund. Overall, on Saturday, December 20, polling will be held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm to elect presidents and members in 24 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, along with 154 seats across 76 local bodies.
This phase follows the first round of elections for 264 municipal councils and nagar panchayats that were successfully held on December 2. The state machinery is now gearing up for the final leg of this extensive democratic exercise, with all eyes on ensuring a smooth and credible conclusion.
