PCMC Poll Preparations Intensify as 1,329 Civic Staff Face Action for Skipping Mandatory Training

PCMC issues show-cause notices to 1,329 civic staff for skipping crucial poll training. Tighter election preparations, deadlines, and legal warnings ahead of the 2026 civic polls. (158 chars)

Pune| December 25,2025: As preparations gather momentum for the upcoming Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, the civic administration has adopted a strict approach to ensure discipline and operational readiness. In a significant development, 1,329 municipal officers and employees have been served show-cause notices after they failed to attend compulsory election training programmes, despite repeated instructions. The move reflects the administration’s determination to leave no room for lapses as the city moves closer to one of its most crucial democratic exercises.

The mandatory training sessions were organised over two consecutive days on 20 and 21 December at prominent venues in Pimpri-Chinchwad. These programmes were designed to prepare civic staff for a wide range of election-related responsibilities, including polling booth management, handling of election materials, voter list verification, coordination with election observers, and strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. Election authorities had clearly communicated that attendance was compulsory, given the scale and complexity of the civic polls.

However, the response from staff fell far short of expectations. On the first day alone, more than 1,190 employees failed to report for training. In an attempt to ensure full participation, the administration scheduled an additional session on Sunday, urging absentee staff to attend. Despite this second opportunity, the total number of employees who skipped training climbed to 1,329, prompting the civic body to initiate disciplinary action.

Following the poor attendance, PCMC Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar issued show-cause notices to all defaulting staff members. The notices clearly state that failure to attend election training without prior approval amounts to negligence of duty and interferes with constitutionally mandated election work. Staff members have been given a strict 24-hour deadline to submit written explanations justifying their absence. Officials have warned that failure to respond or providing unsatisfactory explanations could result in further disciplinary measures, including departmental action and possible legal consequences under election-related provisions.

The administration has emphasised that election duty is not optional. Nearly 14,000 civic employees are expected to be deployed across Pimpri-Chinchwad for various roles on polling day, ranging from booth-level officers to supervisory and logistical staff. Training is considered essential to ensure that polling proceeds smoothly, without technical errors, delays, or administrative confusion. Untrained personnel, officials believe, could lead to serious lapses that may impact voter confidence and the overall credibility of the election process.

This firm action comes at a time when political activity in Pimpri-Chinchwad is intensifying. Thousands of aspirants are preparing to contest the civic elections, and political parties are actively engaged in candidate selection, alliance negotiations, and campaign planning. With heightened political stakes, election authorities are under pressure to ensure that administrative preparedness matches the scale of political mobilisation on the ground.

For voters, the crackdown serves as reassurance that the civic administration is committed to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections. For municipal employees, it sends a clear message that election responsibilities take precedence over routine duties and personal convenience. Officials have reiterated that civic staff play a frontline role in safeguarding democratic processes and must act with a sense of accountability.

In conclusion, the issuance of show-cause notices to 1,329 absentee civic staff members marks a decisive step in PCMC’s election preparedness drive. As polling day approaches, the administration is tightening oversight and reinforcing discipline to ensure that every aspect of election management is handled professionally. With strict deadlines now in place and accountability firmly enforced, Pimpri-Chinchwad’s election machinery appears determined to stay on track and deliver a smooth and credible civic poll.

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