Don’t campaign for any candidate or party, Pune civic body to its staff ahead of corporation polls

Last week, Congress leader Sanjay Balgude released a CCTV video recording obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act from a civic officer, in which civic staff were seen taking help from political workers in a closed room to prepare the electoral rolls for a particular ward.

“We have got the report of the incident and will initiate action against the civic employee based on the findings,” said Ram.

Civic activist Vivek Velankar said that most of the civic staff have landed jobs in PMC through the influence of local political leaders, so they cannot say no to participating in the leader’s election campaign.

“Moreover, it is difficult to identify civic staff among political workers in election campaigns. If the PMC is really serious about ensuring that civic staff do not get involved in political work, then they should start it in the civic office, where voters’ contact numbers and addresses are shared with political parties. The civic staff should not share data of the public available with the civic property tax department or health department,” he said.

Preparations for PMC polls

“The civic body has already appointed a returning officer and other staff totalling up to 23,500 from other government offices, and government-aided schools for election duty on polling day and counting day,” said Ram.

The PMC has implemented a single-window system to simplify the process for candidates seeking a no-objection certificate required for filing nomination forms.

“The candidates have to take a no-objection certificate from 22 civic departments, including the property tax and health department, on no dues. The candidates can apply through the online system and download the no-objection certificate from home. If anyone is unable to use the online facility, then there will be a helpdesk at each of the 15 ward offices and the civic main building to provide help,” said Ram.

The Maharashtra State Election Commission Monday announced the election schedule for the 29 municipal corporations in the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The voting is scheduled for January 15, with counting on January 16

The election code of conduct came into effect with the announcement of the poll schedule, but the Pune civic administration has yet to enforce it strictly. Political flex boards are displayed in public places throughout the city, but the civic administration has not yet removed them.

Also, the administration is responsible for concealing the symbols and names of political parties or leaders in these public spaces, but has thus far failed to do so.