Pune: High Number of Candidates May Increase EVM Requirement in PMC Polls
Pune, 2nd January 2026: The large number of candidates contesting the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections is expected to pose logistical challenges for the election administration, potentially requiring additional Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in several wards.
Pune follows a four-member ward system. According to Election Commission norms, each EVM ballot unit can accommodate up to 14 candidates’ names and symbols, and a maximum of four ballot units can be connected to a single control unit. However, if a ward has more than 55 candidates, additional ballot units and control units may need to be deployed.
Officials explained that although an EVM can technically display around 16 names, one button is reserved for the NOTA (None of the Above) option. In addition, because Pune has four-member wards, one button is kept vacant after each ward segment, further reducing the effective capacity.
As a result, wards with over 55 candidates may require more than four ballot units, increasing the total number of EVMs at polling stations.
The exact EVM requirement will be confirmed only after the nomination withdrawal deadline ends. The final picture is expected after 3 pm on Friday, once the confirmed list of candidates is published.
Election officials have also expressed concern that having four to five ballot units at a single polling booth could confuse voters. Searching for a preferred candidate’s name and symbol among long lists spread across multiple units may take extra time.
This is likely to particularly affect senior citizens and illiterate voters, who may require more time to locate the correct button, potentially slowing down the voting process. Consequently, the overall polling duration in such wards could increase, posing challenges for the smooth and timely conduct of the elections.
