The holiday will apply to government and semi-government offices, corporations, boards, public undertakings, banks and central government offices within the jurisdiction of the civic bodies
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The Maharashtra State Election Commission on Friday announced that Thursday, January 15, will be a public holiday in areas falling under the 29 municipal corporations where polling for civic elections will be held, an official said, reported news agency PTI.
The holiday will apply to government and semi-government offices, corporations, boards, public undertakings, banks and central government offices within the jurisdiction of the civic bodies, reported PTI.
The poll commission said administrative preparations, including readiness of EVMs (electronic voting machines), have been completed, and urged the public to take an active part in the democratic exercise.
In a separate order, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare directed that adequate numbers of polling and counting personnel be appointed and that all such officials complete required training in time. He said strict action will be taken against those officials who skip the training.
Waghmare issued the instruction during poll review meetings on January 6 and 7. Commission secretary Suresh Kakani, inspector-general of police Manojkumar Sharma, municipal commissioners, police commissioners and district superintendents of police of all 29 municipal corporations were among the other officials who attended, reported PTI.
The cities where voting for civic polls will be held include Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar, Panvel, Nashik, Malegaon, Ahilyanagar, Jalgaon, Dhule, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded-Waghala, Parbhani, Jalna, Latur, Amravati, Akola, Nagpur and Chandrapur.
Officials were instructed to ensure smooth conduct of polling and counting, to familiarise staff with arrangements at polling stations, and to take every precaution to avoid inconvenience to voters. Polling stations must have reliable electricity, drinking water, shade and toilet facilities, the poll commission said, reported PTI.
Priority should be given at polling stations to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, lone parents with children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable voters, and ramps and wheelchairs should be provided, it said.
Kakani said that the campaign period for the civic polls ends at 5.30 pm on January 13, after which no election-related advertisements may be published or broadcast in electronic, print or any other media. Consequently, there will be no pre-certification or permission for paid print advertisements after the close of campaigning, he added, reported PTI.
SEC chief reviews preparations, visits Wilson college in Mumbai
Meanwhile, Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare on Thursday visited Wilson College here to inspect the ongoing process of preparing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the January 15 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, reported PTI.
Waghmare reviewed the arrangements and interacted with election officials, staff members and representatives of various candidates present at the venue.
For the BMC elections, a total of 23 Returning Officers have been appointed.
Representatives of different candidates were also present during the inspection, an official said.
"Waghmare held discussions with officials and representatives regarding election preparedness. For Ward Nos. 201 to 222, arrangements have been made for a total of 467 polling stations. As many as 610 EVMs are being prepared for the smooth conduct of polling in these wards," an SEC release said, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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