Pune Citizens Launch Charter And Pledge To Boost Voter Accountability Ahead Of Civic Polls
Pune Citizens Launch Charter And Pledge To Boost Voter Accountability Ahead Of Civic Polls
Renuka Suryavanshi
Pune, June 30, 2025: In a major citizen-led initiative to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level, Mahiti Adhikar Katta marked its 599th session with the launch of a Citizens’ Charter and Citizens’ Pledge aimed at empowering voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. The session focused on the theme, “Local Body Elections: Role of Voters and Responsibilities of Corporators,” and concluded with a citywide and state-level commitment to spread voter awareness.
The Citizens’ Charter seeks written commitments from political candidates on key responsibilities if elected, while the Citizens’ Pledge urges voters to demand transparency, accountability, and performance from contesting candidates before casting their vote.
Member of Parliament Vandana Chavan, keynote speaker at the event, called for collective action against the four-zone ward division, which she argued dilutes corporator accountability. She encouraged voters to support candidates who commit to providing equitable services, safeguarding public spaces, ensuring access to health and education, and promoting inclusive mobility and sustainable city development.
Former IAS officer Mahesh Zagade echoed the need for direct accountability in governance, emphasizing that each region must have one representative. “Municipal elections should not mirror parliamentary ones,” he said, urging citizens to revive Area Sabhas and question their representatives on civic duties.
RJ Sangram advocated for city-wide civic engagement, while activist Tanmay Kanitkar introduced the idea of a Shadow Government or Prati Sarkar in each ward to monitor governance. RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar also stressed the power of the Right to Information Act in holding officials accountable.
Mahiti Adhikar Katta’s campaign now moves towards its landmark 600th session, reaffirming its commitment to fostering participatory governance across Maharashtra.
