Pune Civic Polls Witness Allegations of Bogus Voting and Cash Distribution Amid Peaceful Process

The Pune civic polls were mostly peaceful, with minor allegations of bogus voting and cash distribution. Complaints were raised by political leaders regarding the integrity of the voting process.

The civic elections in Pune on Thursday were mostly calm, with a few issues reported. Allegations of money distribution and fake voting surfaced, along with complaints about the ink used to mark voters' fingers being easily removed, according to the police. Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Joint Commissioner of Police, noted that despite these incidents, the overall polling was peaceful.

Poll officials had to replace 26 control units and 76 ballot units due to technical problems. They ensured the replacements were done quickly so that voting could continue without significant delays. The election process proceeded smoothly after these technical issues were addressed.

Allegations of Bogus Voting

NCP leader Rupali Chakankar raised concerns about alleged fake voting in Dhayari. She presented a video showing a person with a chemical that could remove the indelible ink from voters' fingers. Chakankar stated, "We have filed a complaint along with the video with election officials." Some women were reportedly seen removing ink from their fingers.

In Hadapsar, Shiv Sena's city unit president Pramod Nana Bhangire, who is contesting from ward number 41 in Mohammadwadi, reported catching individuals from Beed involved in bogus voting. "We have informed the police and handed some of the people to the local police station," Bhangire mentioned.

Technical Glitches and Quick Resolutions

The election officials acted swiftly to address technical glitches by replacing malfunctioning control and ballot units. This ensured that the voting process continued smoothly without major disruptions. Such prompt actions helped maintain order during the polling.

Votes from this election will be counted on Friday. Most exit polls suggest that the BJP is likely to have an advantage in the 165-member Pune Municipal Corporation elections. This prediction has set expectations for the party's performance once results are announced.

The civic polls in Pune faced challenges but remained largely peaceful. Allegations of misconduct were addressed by authorities, ensuring a fair electoral process. The swift handling of technical issues also contributed to maintaining order during voting.

With inputs from PTI