PMC elections: Close to 6k suggestions, objections pour in for draft delimitation, hearing on Sept 12

Of the 41 electoral wards, as many as 2,066 suggestions and objections poured in for Narhe Ambegaon ward while no applications came for Shaniwar Peth Mahatma Phule Mandai, Deccan Gymkhana Happy Colony and Karvenagar Hingane Happy Colony.

Former Rajya Sabha MP and NCP(SP) leader Vandana Chavan has raised objection to multi-member ward as a minimum of four members are to be elected from one ward. She said it undermines democracy and creates confusion among voters.

Meanwhile, the state government has designated bureaucrat V Radha to conduct a public hearing on the suggestions and objections to the draft delimitation. The designated officer will submit report on the hearing to the state election office and recommend necessary changes. Thereafter, the state government would declare the final delimitation map of electoral ward.

The PMC is currently under the rule of a administrator as no elections have been held after the end of the previous term in 2022. The Supreme Court had directed the state government to hold elections as early as possible, after which the election process has been started by the state government. In the previous term from 2017 to 2022, the BJP single-handedly held power in the Pune civic body.