Pimpri-Chinchwad, 14th January 2026: On the eve of polling for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, police authorities have stepped up enforcement measures, recovering тВ╣16.17 lakh in unaccounted cash, seizing illegal firearms, and launching a wide-ranging crackdown on liquor and narcotics to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
With voting scheduled for Thursday and counting on Friday, officials said extensive preventive action has been undertaken since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect. Police have taken action against 962 individuals, while 50 repeat offenders have been externed from the district. In addition, 438 persons with criminal backgrounds have been directed to remain outside city limits during the election period.
To prevent misuse of licensed weapons, authorities ensured the deposit of 1,306 firearms with the police. During enforcement drives, nine illegal pistols were also recovered, leading to the arrest of 11 persons.
Police have intensified surveillance through route marches, combing operations and round-the-clock patrolling across all police station jurisdictions. Special teams will continue patrols on polling day, supported by additional police and traffic personnel at sensitive locations to manage congestion and maintain law and order.
Election arrangements span 420 buildings housing 2,135 polling stations within the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate. To ensure strict implementation of the Model Code, 34 inspection teams comprising 68 police personnel have been deployed. Routine checks conducted by these teams have led to the seizure of cash suspected to be linked to electoral inducements.
As part of the pre-poll crackdown, police carried out 276 raids under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, seizing liquor valued at тВ╣10.36 lakh. Under the NDPS Act, 18 raids resulted in the recovery of narcotics тАФ including ganja, MD and OG Kush тАФ worth тВ╣66.19 lakh.
Security Deployment for Elections
A substantial security force has been deployed to ensure peaceful polling:
Joint Police Commissioner: 1
Additional Police Commissioners: 2
Deputy Commissioners of Police: 8
Assistant Commissioners of Police: 11
Police Inspectors: 48
Assistant and Sub-Inspectors: 291
Police Constables: 3,733
Home Guards: 2,000
Riot Control Platoons: 4
Quick Response Force: 2 companies
State Reserve Police Force: 1 company
Police Commissioner Vinaykumar Choubey said the force is fully prepared to conduct the elections in a neutral, secure and fear-free environment. He appealed to citizens to cooperate with law enforcement, share information without hesitation, and adhere to election rules, emphasising that every complaint will be acted upon promptly.
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