The orders say the guidelines of the Election Commission of India stipulate prohibiting use of cellphones in the 100m radius of polling stations. (Express photo by Arul Horizon)
HOURS before the Pune city, Shirur and Maval Lok Sabha constituencies go to polls, confusion prevailed among voters as to whether they will be allowed to carry their cellphones inside the polling centres. The Pune city police clarified that the voters will have to switch off their cellphones before they enter the polling centres.
”Ideally, the cellphones should be kept outside the polling centres. But if the voters have no place to keep the cellphones, they will have to switch it off before they enter the polling centre and cast their vote,” a top Pune police officer told The Indian Express.
When contacted, District Collector Suhas Diwase said the cellphones have been banned within 100 metre radius of the polling centres in Pune, Maval and Shirur. ”This is not the first time such an order has been issued. The order has been issued every election. However, this time, the Election Commission has asked us to implement the ban on cellphones strictly. The police commissioner and Superintendent of Police police have also been issued directions accordingly,” said Diwase even as he appealed to citizens to keep their cellphones at home or in their vehicles and not bring them to the polling centres.
#Pune Collector & District Election Officer Suhas Diwase said the voters in the district will not be allowed to take cellphones inside (100 meter periphery of polling booths) so as to ensure secrecy of the voting process.
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) May 12, 2024
When asked about the possibility of the order discouraging citizens from exercising their franchise, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, ”We will implement the directives strictly. At the same time, we will ensure that it does not have adverse impact on voting.”
Sources in the Pune police said, ”It is practically impossible to physically scan every person to find out whether they are carrying the cellphones or not. But we will be directing voters to switch off their phones while entering the polling centres.”
Chaos and confusion sparked off in the city after the Pune police issued orders prohibiting voters from taking cellphones in the 100 range of polling centres in Pune, Maval and Shirur, which are going to polls on Monday.
Former President of MCCIA Sudhir Mehta said in a post on X, ”The directive from the District Collector Suhas Diwase to prohibit mobile phones (do not carry) within 100 meters of polling stations is concerning and uncalled for. While it’s essential to be extra vigilant about photography and calling, asking citizens to leave their phones at home will discourage voter turnout. This ban may further dampen enthusiasm of voters, and must be rectified.”
Retired high court judge B G Kolse-Patil said, ”The district collector has given a wrong order. It will only discourage voters from coming to the cellphones…what is the problem if voters carry their cellphones inside the polling booth ? My voter slip is in my cellphone. Similarly, many voters will have their slips in their cellphones. The poll officials should not discourage voters from coming to the polling booth by issuing such orders.”
Activist Manav Kamble said,”Are we trying to ensure more voting or are we trying to discourage voters by issuing such orders ? This is not an appropriate move. Also, there should be transparency in poll process. This sounds like the election officials are trying to protect the interest of the parties in power.”
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The cellphone ban order was issued on Saturday night by Joint Police Commissioner (law and order) Praveen Pawar under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for the Pune City police limits. For other police jurisdictions, similar prohibitory orders were issued by respective authorities.
The order said the guidelines of the Election Commission of India stipulate prohibiting use of cellphones in the 100m radius of polling stations.
In a video message to the voters, district collector Suhas Diwase said, “…When a voter casts his vote, secrecy is a very important tenet of the process…no voter will be allowed to carry cellphones in the 100m range of a polling centre. Every voter is requested to take a note of this. You can keep your cellphones at home or in your vehicle.”
The police order states that it is applicable to the candidates, their representatives and voters. It is not applicable to the polling officials, police and those authorised by the authorities. Those found in violation of the order can face prosecution under Indian Penal Code section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant).
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More
Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010.
Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune.
Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
