IT Department sets up control room to monitor election spending in Maharashtra

The Income Tax Department has announced strict measures to curb the misuse of money power during the Maharashtra local body elections an official statement said on TuesdayTo ensure free and fair elections and maintain the purity of the electoral process the department has set up a 247 election monitoring control room in Pune it saidMunicipal corporations under monitoringThe control room will monitor electionrelated financial activities in the municipal corporations including ThaneUlhasnagar KalyanDombivli BhiwandiNizampur MiraBhayandarVasaiVirar Panvel Ahilyanagar PunePimpri Chinchwad Solapur Kolhapur Ichalkaranji and SangliMirajKupwad the official statement saidIt said that the monitoring mechanism will remain active for the entire period during which the Model Code of Conduct MCC is in forcePublic encouraged to share informationThe Income Tax Department has urged responsible citizens to report information related to the use of cash or valuables for electioneering purposesThe officials said that the members of the public can share information confidentially through the following channels TollFree Number 18002330701 WhatsApp Number 9922380806 Email punepditinvincometaxgovinOfficials said that the initiative is part of the departmentrsquos commitment to uphold transparency and prevent illegal use of money during electionsNomination process for Thane Municipal Corporation elections begins on December 23The nomination process for candidates contesting the Thane Municipal Corporation TMC General Elections 2025ndash26 started on Tuesday December 23 The civic body while releasing a statement announced it on MondayAs per the civic body the process of issuing and accepting nomination papers will continue until December 30 between 11 am and 3 pm excluding public holidays on Thursday December 25 and Sunday December 28The Thane Municipal Corporation further highlighted that updated samples of nomination papers and mandatory affidavits have been prepared for the upcoming elections Furthermore the candidates have been advised to obtain samples complete the required forms get them duly attested by the competent authority and submit them to the respective Election Returning Officers within the prescribed timelineThe election bookletThe TMC with a view to facilitating candidates has also compiled a comprehensive information booklet The booklet is available at a cost of Rs 100 with the Election Returning Officers appointed for each ward committeeFurthermore the booklet contains samples of nomination papers and affidavits Also a checklist of documents to be attached and essential forms such as applications for withdrawal of candidature appointment of election agents and polling agents and forms related to ballot paper name printingThe booklet also includes Annexure1 and Annexure2 for party candidates details of election expenditure limits formats for submission of election expenses provisions of the Model Code of Conduct law and order guidelines and advertising certification ordersAdditionally it provides wardwise reservation details a combined ward map information on security deposits eligibility and disqualification criteria and contact details of returning officers and help desksUpdated formats of nomination papers and affidavits as per the State Election Commissionrsquos order dated December 12 2025 have also been incorporated officials said