Pune: 23 Special Cells Formed to Ensure Smooth PMC Elections in January
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 23rd September 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) administration has established 23 special cells to accelerate preparations for the upcoming municipal elections, expected to be held in the last two weeks of January 2026.
Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has directed that officers appointed to these cells start work immediately. Each cell will be headed by an officer who will report directly to the Municipal Commissioner. Clear instructions have been issued that no cell head should directly contact the Election Commission or the state government; all communications are to be routed through the Deputy Commissioner (Elections).
The PMC is finalizing the ward structure by October 6, after which the reservation of wards will be completed. As political activity intensifies in the city, the administration is mobilizing resources to ensure smooth elections.
A total of 24,000 employees are required for election-related work, of which 19,000 employees have been arranged so far. The 23 special cells have been set up to cover all aspects of the election process, including:
Polling station staff and management
Polling stations and facilities
Postal ballot management
Arrears and no objection certificates
Voting and counting operations
Stationery and material distribution
Information and public relations
Telecommunication facilities
Organization of meetings
Compliance with the code of conduct
Distortion action
Paid news inspection
Transport management
Meeting/mandap permissions
Electricity management
Information technology and EVM management
Coordination
Election expenditure inspection
Legal support
Health facilities
Water supply management
These cells will remain active until the completion of the election process, ensuring a well-coordinated and transparent municipal election in Pune.
