Pune Municipal Polls: Candidates Without NOC for Unauthorized Flexes Risk Rejection of Nomination Forms

Pune, 13th October 2025: Aspiring candidates for the upcoming municipal elections in Pune may find their nomination forms rejected if they have not cleared fines for unauthorized flexes and banners.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has made it mandatory for candidates to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) confirming payment of penalties for any illegal flexes before filing their nominations.

The move comes amid a surge in unauthorized advertising across the city. Over the past few months, flexes and banners have multiplied on public roads, squares, and open spaces — put up not only by educational institutions and commercial entities but increasingly by political aspirants. With civic polls approaching, the cityscape is being cluttered with greetings and campaign banners, drawing widespread complaints about visual pollution and civic defacement.

Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has taken a firm stance against the issue. Following his recent directives, the civic administration removed more than 3,000 illegal flexes and banners across Pune in a citywide crackdown. So far, 26 individuals have been booked for defacing public property.

Despite these actions, new flexes continue to appear daily. The PMC currently imposes a fine of ₹1,000 per unauthorized flex; however, officials noted that many political activists and organizations are ignoring these penalties.

“To ensure accountability, candidates who have not paid fines for unauthorized flexes will not be issued a No Objection Certificate,” said Deputy Commissioner of PMC’s Skylight Department, Madhav Jagtap. “Without this certificate, their nomination applications may be rejected,” he added.

Citizens have also raised concerns that some offenders are escaping penalties due to lax enforcement. Instances have been reported where fines were imposed selectively or only after the event concluded. For example, a series of birthday flexes recently covered parts of Sinhagad Road days before the celebration, but action was taken only afterward—raising questions about administrative leniency.