Nagpur Civic Elections Enter Final Campaign Phase
Political parties and candidates across Nagpur have their last chance to connect with voters today. The campaign window closes at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, January 10. This marks the beginning of the mandatory 48-hour silence period before polling for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections on January 15.
Intense Campaigning Reaches Climax
Since campaigning officially started on January 3, Nagpur witnessed vigorous election activity. A total of 993 candidates are competing for 151 corporator seats spread across 38 municipal wards. Major political players including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party, Aam Aadmi Party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and independent candidates participated actively.
Public meetings, political rallies, and padyatras dominated the city's landscape over the past ten days. Candidates now shift to closed-door meetings as the campaign silence period takes effect. The civic administration confirmed complete readiness for polling day operations.
Election Machinery Fully Prepared
Municipal Commissioner and Chief Election Officer Abhijeet Chaudhari addressed media representatives on Monday. He detailed the election preparations and timeline. Polling will occur from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM on Thursday, January 15. Vote counting begins at 10:00 AM on January 16, with initial trends and results expected from approximately 12:30 PM onward.
Chaudhari noted this election follows an unusually compressed schedule. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation polls, originally due since March 2022, were announced only on December 15. The final candidate list emerged on January 3, allowing just ten days for active campaigning.
Polling material distribution starts on January 14. Election personnel completed two training rounds covering electronic voting machine handling. Counting staff will undergo similar training sessions. All polling stations feature basic facilities to ensure voter convenience.
Strict Enforcement of Conduct Rules
Authorities maintain strict enforcement of the model code of conduct. Officials warned that any violations during the silence period will face stringent action. Surveillance teams already made significant seizures indicating attempts to influence voters.
Authorities confiscated cash worth ₹12.9 lakh, liquor totaling 2,323.9 liters valued at ₹9.47 lakh, and narcotic substances weighing 47.44 kilograms worth ₹19.98 lakh. Weapons also featured among seized items. The total seizure value approaches ₹42 lakh, demonstrating tight vigilance.
Major Parties' Campaign Strategies
The Bharatiya Janata Party led in public meeting numbers. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and Bhojpuri actor-parliamentarian Manoj Tiwari addressed gatherings across various wards.
The Congress organized counter-rallies featuring senior leaders and legislators. Vijay Wadettiwar, Nana Patole, Vikas Thakre, and Member of Legislative Council Abhijeet Wanjari defended their political turf. Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit faction) leader Praful Patel addressed select ward meetings.
Campaign atmosphere intensified through sharp verbal exchanges between Congress and BJP representatives. Both parties released their manifestos, with BJP presenting theirs on Sunday. Rebel candidates emerged as a concern for BJP in these civic polls, while Congress claimed success in pacifying dissidents and securing support for official candidates.
Bahujan Samaj Party candidates largely campaigned independently without star campaigners. All parties conducted mohalla meetings throughout the ten-day campaign period, with both BJP and Congress claiming substantial public support.
Final Day Campaign Rush
Tuesday, the last campaigning day, expects a rush for voter outreach. Candidates planned early-morning padyatras and extensive door-to-door interactions. Competition to reach every household in each ward intensified before the 5:30 PM deadline.
Senior BJP and Congress leaders actively canvassed for their candidates on the ground. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis focused attention firmly on Nagpur over recent days. He addressed public meetings and connected with voters through programs like "Tarri Poha with Devabhau."
A major roadshow scheduled for Tuesday covers multiple city landmarks including Bharat Mata Chowk, Teen Nal Chowk, Shaheed Chowk, Tanga Stand Chowk, Gandhi Statue, Pandit Bachharaj Chowk, Mahal Chowk, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue at Mahal. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari participated in voter interaction under the "Chana Poha with Nitinji" program on Monday.
Counting Process Details
Vote counting begins at 10:00 AM on January 16 across ten zonal counting centers. Each center corresponds to one of Nagpur's administrative zones. Every returning officer will manage twenty tables for electronic voting machine counting and four tables for postal ballots.
Each counting table operates under a counting supervisor and assistant. Media centers are established at every counting venue. Counting for all wards commences simultaneously to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Polling Day Arrangements
Webcasting will occur at 255 of the city's 3,004 polling stations. This enables real-time monitoring of activities inside voting booths during polling hours. Unlike recent Assembly elections, home voting for senior citizens above 85 years and bedridden voters will not be available. The absence of clear directions from the State Election Commission prevents this facility in municipal polls.
Voters can locate their polling stations through the Nagpur Municipal Corporation website. The 'Voter Path' section allows citizens to enter their name, Electors Photo Identity Card number, and ward details to find their designated voting location.
The election machinery stands fully prepared for Nagpur's democratic exercise. Citizens now await their opportunity to shape municipal governance through their votes on January 15.
