Pune Civic Polls 2026: Woman Finds Vote Already Cast in Her Name In Ward 21, Allowed Postal Ballot After Protest
Pune Civic Polls 2026: Woman Finds Vote Already Cast in Her Name In Ward 21, Allowed Postal Ballot After Protest
Pune: Dramatic scenes unfolded during the Pune Municipal Corporation elections in Ward No. 21 after a woman voter discovered that her vote had already been cast by someone else. Following strong objections and repeated appeals, election officials eventually allowed her to vote through the postal ballot process.
The incident took place at Seth Dagduram Katariya High School, in Mukund Nagar, a designated polling station in Ward No. 21. When the woman entered the booth to cast her vote, officials informed her that voting had already been recorded under her name. Shocked by the revelation, she immediately raised objections, alleging impersonation and bogus voting.
According to the voter, officials checked the records and found a signature already marked against her name, which closely resembled her own. She was initially told that she must have voted earlier, a claim she strongly denied. She refused to sign additional documents at first, maintaining that someone else had fraudulently voted in her place before she even arrived at the polling station.
After continued protest and pressure, officials permitted her to cast her vote through postal voting, acknowledging the discrepancy. The woman stated that she had clear proof of identity and insisted that the earlier vote was not cast by her.
This incident comes amid broader allegations of bogus voting in Pune. Maharashtra State Women’s Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar has already lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that in some wards, voters were wiping off indelible ink and voting multiple times. She has claimed that in Ward No. 34, instances involving women and even minors engaging in fraudulent voting have been reported.
Concerns have also been raised about the lack of updated records of deceased voters, fuelling fears that votes may be cast in their names as well. Citizens and activists have urged the administration to take these complaints seriously and investigate whether ruling parties are being indirectly favoured through such lapses.
The episode has intensified scrutiny of election management and voter verification mechanisms, with demands growing for stricter oversight to ensure transparency and fairness in the civic polls.
