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

Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said that civic staff's involvement in political activities is illegal and warned of legal action against violators.

4 min readPuneDec 17, 2025 04:41 PM IST

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

To ensure fair elections for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the civic administration has decided to monitor its staff for involvement in election campaigns on behalf of candidates or political parties. The administration also plans to take legal action against any staff members who participate in such activities.

“It is a fact that a few of the civic staff get involved in the election campaign of a candidate or political party. It is illegal considering they are employees of the civic body and cannot participate in election campaigns,” said Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram Wednesday.

As per the rules, civic staff cannot engage in any political work or help candidates or political parties, he said.

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.

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Also Read | PMC and PCMC finally gear up for polls after a nine-year wait

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

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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.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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