PMC Elections 2026: Municipal Commissioner Inspects Voting Machines and Counting Arrangements in Bhavani and Kasba Peth
Pune, 5th January 2026: Ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram carried out a detailed inspection of voting machines and counting arrangements at Savitribai Phule School, Bhavani Peth, and New English School, Tilak Road, Kasba Peth today.
The inspection was attended by senior officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner (Special) Omprakash Divate, Electoral Officer of Bhavani Peth Kalyan Pandhare, Deputy Election Commissioners Prasad Katkar, Arvind Mali, and Asha Raut, as well as Assistant Commissioners Timaya Jagle and Mahadik.
During the visit, the Commissioner and officials conducted a comprehensive review of:
-Voting machines and their operational readiness
-Strong room security arrangements for EVM storage
-Vote counting centers and associated facilities
-Overall election preparedness in the respective wards
Special attention was paid to the safety and security of voting machines, structural and protective arrangements at strong rooms, CCTV surveillance coverage, and the availability of fire-fighting equipment. Counting centers were also assessed for essential facilities, and technical staff were consulted regarding voting machine operations.
After the inspection, Commissioner Ram issued several directives to ensure smooth conduct of the elections:
-Stable and uninterrupted electricity supply at counting and storage locations
-Adequate security arrangements at strong rooms and counting centers
-Transparent, timely, and efficient vote counting
-Proper deployment of manpower, technical resources, and control room facilities
Officials were further instructed to maintain coordinated efforts among all departments to ensure the election process proceeds in a peaceful, secure, and regulation-compliant manner. Recommendations for improvements were provided following the assessment of preparations in the Bhavani Peth and Kasba Peth regional offices.
