PMC Election 2026: Comprehensive Guide to Polling Date, Candidate Lists, and Holiday Details
As Pune gears up for the much-anticipated civic battle, here is everything you need to know about the Pune Municipal Corporation Election 2026, from ward-wise candidates to the official voting day holiday.
The long wait for the local body polls is finally over. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) are set to witness a high-stakes electoral showdown on Thursday, January 15, 2026. With the state government officially declaring a public holiday to ensure maximum voter turnout, the city is buzzing with political activity as major alliances like Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) square off in a rare four-cornered contest.
PMC Election 2026: Key Dates and Voting Schedule
The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has fast-tracked the process for the 2026 civic polls. For the millions of voters in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, these dates are critical:
- Polling Day: January 15, 2026 (Thursday)
- Voting Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Counting of Votes: January 16, 2026 (Friday)
- Results Declaration: Expected by the evening of January 16, 2026
To facilitate a smooth process, the PMC has established a “Single Window System” for candidate permissions and has deployed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across the city to distribute voter slips directly to residents’ doorsteps.
Public Holiday Declared for January 15 in Pune and PCMC
In a significant move to boost the 90%+ voter turnout target, the Maharashtra government has issued an official circular declaring January 15, 2026, as a public holiday.
This holiday applies to all government and semi-government offices, corporations, banks, and educational institutions within the jurisdiction of the Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Private companies and shops are also mandated to provide either a full-day holiday or a designated period of “paid leave” to employees to exercise their right to vote, as per the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Understanding the New Ward Structure and Seats
The 2026 elections are being held under a restructured ward system. The total number of seats in the PMC has been increased to 174, spread across 58 wards (three-member ward system).
Reservation Statistics:
- Women’s Reservation: 50% (87 seats reserved for women candidates).
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 22 seats.
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 17 seats (as per latest delimitation and court norms).
In PCMC, the battle is equally intense across 32 wards, where the NCP factions and the BJP are fighting for dominance in what was once the Pawar family’s undisputed bastion.
PMC Election 2026 Candidates List: Who is Running?
The final list of contesting candidates was published on January 3, 2026, following the deadline for withdrawal of nominations. This year’s election is unique due to the fragmentation of major political parties.
The Political Alliances:
- BJP & RPI: The BJP is contesting a majority of the 174 seats, leaving 9 seats for the Ramdas Athawale-led RPI.
- The Shiv Sena Split: The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is contesting independently on over 110 seats after seat-sharing talks with the BJP remained inconclusive. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded 71 candidates.
- The NCP Factor: In a surprising local arrangement, the Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar factions have decided to collaborate in several wards in PCMC and Pune to keep the BJP at bay, though “friendly contests” remain in specific areas.
- Congress & MNS: The Congress has issued 105 AB forms, focusing heavily on civic infrastructure and water supply issues, while the Raj Thackeray-led MNS has fielded 43 candidates.
Voters can access the PMC election 2026 candidates list PDF on the official pmc.gov.in portal or at their respective ward offices.
How to Find Your Name in the Electoral Roll
If you are asking, “Is my name in the Pune voter list?”, the SEC has made it easy. Residents can check their status through the following methods:
- Official Website: Visit the CEO Maharashtra or PMC Election portal.
- Voter Helpline App: Use the national voter service portal app to search by EPIC number.
- SMS Service: Send your Voter ID number to the designated SEC helpline to receive booth details.
Civic Issues at the Forefront
As the campaign enters its final leg, the primary issues dominating the 2026 polls include:
- Water Supply: Continuous water supply for merged villages like Wagholi and Sus-Pashan.
- Traffic Congestion: The expansion of the Pune Metro and the completion of the Ring Road.
- Waste Management: Modernizing the processing units at Uruli Devachi and Phursungi.
- Inclusion of Merged Villages: Improving basic amenities in the 23 newly merged villages.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Pune
The outcome of the January 15 polls will determine who manages Pune’s massive ₹12,618 crore budget. Whether the BJP maintains its grip on the city or the fragmented opposition manages to reclaim the municipal hall remains to be seen.
PuneNow will bring you live updates on polling day (January 15) and a ward-by-ward result breakdown on January 16. Stay tuned for the fastest updates on the Pune Municipal Corporation Election 2026.
For more live updates on Pune, visit our Pune News Today page.
