“The EVMs used in municipal corporation elections will be redeployed for ZP and PS polls. From Jan 17, EVM memory cards must be removed and deposited in the govt treasury,” a senior SEC official said.Collectors would also need to make necessary arrangements for election staff. “The elections will decide 731 ZP seats and 1,462 PS seats. The model code of conduct came into effect in all poll-bound areas from Tuesday. While the code applies to ZP and PS regions, any action or announcement aimed at influencing voters in these areas was prohibited even outside their jurisdiction. Relief measures related to natural disasters would, however, remain unrestricted, as per the SEC’s order dated Nov 4, 2025,” the official said.Since ZP and PS elections are being held simultaneously, each voter would be allowed to cast two votes — one for the ZP electoral division and one for the PS electoral college, the officials said.Candidates contesting reserved seats must submit caste certificates with their nomination papers. “If the certificate is unavailable, proof of application to the caste scrutiny committee will be mandatory. Failure to submit the certificate within six months of the results will lead to cancellation of the election with retrospective effect,” another officials said.Around 25,482 polling stations will be set up, with 51,537 control units and 1,10,329 ballot units arranged by SEC. Voter lists are based on the July 1, 2025, assembly electoral rolls. “Further requirements will depend on candidates,” the official said.While additions or deletions of names are beyond SEC’s jurisdiction, duplicate entries have been flagged with a special marker. “Home voting, as seen in Lok Sabha and assembly polls, will not be available for these elections,” the official said, adding, “Special facilities like ramps, wheelchairs and basic amenities will be provided at polling stations for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and women with infants. Polling stations staffed entirely by women will be designated as ‘pink polling booths’ in areas with a high proportion of women voters.”In Pune district, elections will be held for 73 ZP divisions and 13 panchayat samitis comprising 146 members. The district, with a population of 2.97 crore, will have 3,605 polling stations and 7,931 polling booths, with about 23,545 polling personnel deployed for the elections. MSID:: 126508272 413 |
