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Heavy Security Deployed in Pune as Maharashtra Municipal Vote Counting Begins

Heavy security has been deployed at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's D Ward office in Pune as counting for Maharashtra's local body polls begins. Simultaneously, vote counting for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections commenced at 10 am across 23 designated centres in Mumbai. The BMC elections, held after an eight-year gap, recorded a voter turnout of 52.94% and were marred by allegations from the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance. The counting process is being conducted under strict Election Commission guidelines, with elaborate arrangements for security and law and order.

Key Points: Maharashtra Municipal Polls: Vote Counting Underway with Tight Security

  • Heavy security in Pune's D Ward
  • BMC counting at 23 Mumbai centres
  • 52.94% voter turnout in BMC polls
  • First BMC elections in eight years
2 min read

Maharashtra: Heavy security deployed at PCMC D Ward ahead of vote counting in Pune

Heavy security deployed in Pune and Mumbai as vote counting begins for Maharashtra's 29 municipal corporations, including the crucial BMC elections.

"We have deployed appropriate arrangements... There is 1 riot-control police platoon, 7-8 officers and 100 policemen. - DCP Vishal Gaikwad"

Pune, January 16

Heavy security has been deployed outside the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation D Ward Regional Office ahead of the Maharashtra local body poll counting scheduled for today.

Voting results for the state's 29 municipal corporations are expected to be announced from 10 am onwards.

Speaking to ANI, DCP Vishal Gaikwad said, "The counting process is about to begin sometime in the D ward here. We have deployed appropriate arrangements... There is 1 riot-control police platoon, 7-8 officers and 100 policemen."

Meanwhile, vote counting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections will begin today at 10.00 am across 23 designated counting centres in Mumbai, Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani said.

The recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recorded a voter turnout of 52.94 per cent, according to the data released by the State Election Commissioner (SEC) on Friday. The elections for India's richest municipal corporations, which concluded on Thursday, were marred with allegations by the Shiv Sena (UBT)- MNS alliance, and subsequently refuted by the SEC.

The elections, which were conducted after a gap of eight years, marked a significant civic exercise for Mumbai. The previous BMC elections were held in 2017, while the term of the last elected mayor, Kishori Pednekar, ended in March 2022. With the completion of the polls, Mumbai is set to get a new mayor after nearly four years.

The counting process will be conducted in strict compliance with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Model Code of Conduct. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of the process, including security deployment, traffic management, and maintenance of law and order across the city. The detailed plan for vote counting has been approved by the Municipal Commissioner, the BMC said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the BMC, 23 Returning Officers have been appointed for the 227 election wards within the municipal limits. Strong rooms and counting venues under the jurisdiction of each Returning Officer have been designated for the process and have received the necessary approvals from the Public Works Department and the Police Department.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Only 52.94% voter turnout in Mumbai? That's quite disappointing for such an important election. We complain about potholes and water problems, but when it's time to vote, so many people stay home. The real change begins with us.
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Vikram M
The security arrangements with riot-control platoons sound extensive. Hopefully it's just a precaution. Maharashtra's politics can get heated, but the focus should be on a smooth democratic process. Let's hope for a clear mandate.
A
Ananya R
Finally! It's been years without an elected mayor. The city's development has suffered. Whoever wins, their first priority must be the monsoon preparedness. We can't have another season of flooded streets.
D
David E
Observing from abroad, the scale of this exercise is impressive. 227 wards, 23 counting centres... The logistical challenge is huge. Respect to the election officials and police for managing it. Democracy in action.
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Siddharth J
While the security is necessary, I hope the allegations of irregularities are investigated thoroughly by the SEC. Trust in the process is everything. The new council has a massive task ahead - cleaning up Mumbai is no joke.

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