Mumbai, 09 January (HS): Ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls, the State Election Commission on Friday announced a public holiday on January 15 in areas falling under 29 municipal corporations where voting will be held.
The public holiday will be applicable to government and semi-government offices, corporations, boards, public sector undertakings, banks and central government offices within the limits of the concerned municipal corporations.
The commission said all preparations for the elections, including the readiness of electronic voting machines (EVMs), have been completed and appealed to citizens to actively participate in the democratic process.
State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare directed that an adequate number of polling and counting personnel be appointed and properly trained. He warned that strict action would be taken against officials who fail to attend mandatory training sessions.
These instructions were issued during a poll review meeting held on January 6 and 7, which was attended by the commission secretary, senior police officials, municipal commissioners, police commissioners and district superintendents of police from all 29 municipal corporations.
The civic polls will be held in several cities across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Ulhasnagar, Jalgaon and Dhule.
Officials said special priority will be given at polling stations to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, lone parents with children, pregnant women and other vulnerable voters. Polling stations will also be equipped with reliable electricity supply, clean drinking water, toilet facilities and ramps to ensure voter convenience.
The commission further informed that campaigning for the civic polls will end at 5.30 pm on January 13, after which no election-related advertisements will be permitted in electronic, print or any other media. It was also clarified that no pre-certification or permission will be granted for paid print advertisements after the close of the campaign period.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar