Maharashtra Elections: 303 Candidates In 21 Assembly Constituencies Set To Contest In Pune District After Mass Withdrawals
Draft Ward Plan Released for Upcoming Rural Body Elections in Pune; Suggestions Accepted Till July 21
With the final day for nomination withdrawals over, Pune district is set for a multi-cornered race in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20. Following Monday’s withdrawals, 303 candidates remained in the fray across the district’s 21 assembly constituencies, averaging around 12 candidates per constituency. This election season sees a diverse voter base in Pune, with a notable majority of the candidates running as independents, aside from Bhor and Maval, which have fewer contestants.
Data from the district election office reveals that Chinchwad experienced the highest number of withdrawals, with 21 candidates pulling out, leaving 15 contenders. Shirur had 14 withdrawals, leaving 11 candidates, while Hadapsar saw 12 of its 31 candidates step back, leaving 19 in the race. Indapur leads in candidate count with 24 contestants, followed by Baramati with 23, Chinchwad with 21, Hadapsar with 19, and Vadgaon Sheri with 16. In contrast, Bhor and Maval now have the fewest candidates, with six each following multiple withdrawals.
The district’s electorate is highly diverse, including 1,78,615 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,21,760 voters over 85, and 5,231 centenarians. Additionally, 88,937 people with disabilities are eligible to vote, reflecting the varied demographic engagement expected in the elections.
District Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase provided an update on the candidate tally and noted that, since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, enforcement agencies have seized a total of ₹16.34 crore in cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and other election-related freebies in Pune district.
The electorate comprises 88,49,590 eligible voters, with 45,79,216 male, 42,69,569 female, and 805 third-gender voters, alongside 5,605 service voters and 1,956 overseas voters. Senior officials from the PCMC, Pune City, and Pune rural police attended the briefing, underscoring the coordinated efforts to ensure a smooth and fair electoral process across Pune.
