Pune Activists Launch 'Citizen Awareness Campaign' Ahead Of PMC Elections

Ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, activists in the city have started an awareness campaign. The initiative, titled “Citizen Awareness Campaign,” urges voters to go beyond slogans and cast informed, responsible votes based on performance, not promises.

RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, who is leading the campaign, said, "The campaign highlights growing frustration over civic issues like pothole-ridden roads, poor waste management, erratic water supply and rampant encroachments. These are the concerns that citizens claim are routinely ignored after elections. For years, corporators have failed to deliver. Now, voters must demand accountability."

Social activist Rahul Sunita Bhaskar said, “Avoid the traps of caste, religion, money, crime, and nepotism. A principled vote is the foundation of true democracy. That is the message of Lord Buddha’s Four Noble Truths.”

Veteran journalist Vinita Deshmukh voiced the need for critical scrutiny. “Citizens must ask questions. If a candidate lacks credibility, voters must not hesitate to choose the NOTA (None of the Above) option," she said.

The activists will also hold a seminar titled “Municipal Elections: Role of Citizens and Responsibility of Corporators,” which will be held on June 29. The key speaker for the seminar will be Dr Mahesh Zagade, former Principal Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra and ex-Pune Commissioner. He will urge citizens to directly question every candidate on their track record and vision.

“This isn’t just about voting — it’s about reclaiming democracy. We don’t just want voters. We want aware citizens who hold their leaders accountable," said Kumbhar.

Key points of the awareness programme:

- Citywide seminars to inform citizens of their rights and civic expectations

- Public questionnaires to assess the intent and transparency of contesting candidates

- Performance reports of former corporators to be made available to citizens

- Social media outreach to counter misinformation and promote civic awareness

- Voter alerts if relatives of non-performing corporators are contesting

- Collaborations with local groups, youth forums, and housing societies

- Support for deserving candidates based on merit, not identity politics