Written by Ajay JadhavPune | January 16, 2026 10:24 AM IST 2 min readThe lowest turnout of 45.12 per cent was recorded in the Aundh-Bopodi ward, followed by 45.54 per cent in Wanowrie-Salunke Vihar. (Express Photo)With all eyes on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) election results on Friday, voter turnout across the city’s 41 wards has heightened tension among candidates, as less than half of the voters cast their votes in 10 of these wards.While the overall voter turnout was 52.42 per cent, the maximum participation, at 57.81 per cent, was seen in the Shivane-Khadakwasla-Dhayari ward, which is a recent addition to the PMC jurisdiction. The lowest turnout of 45.12 per cent was recorded in the Aundh-Bopodi ward, followed by 45.54 per cent in Wanowrie-Salunke Vihar.“This is my first election as a candidate. The low voter turnout has made me anxious, but I am confident I will get elected,” said Sachin More, the BJP candidate from Suncity-Manikbaug ward.Also Read | PMC polls: Allegations of 31 ‘bogus’ voting cards in Ahilyanagar; NC offence lodged, probe onMeanwhile, the BJP is relying on its increased strength in the city’s central areas, while the NCP is confident of a good response in suburban Pune.PMC elections: How Pune votedS. No.Ward NamePolling percentage1Kalas-Dhanori-Lohegaon52.90%2Phulenagar-Nagpur Chawl50.28%3Vimannagar-Lohegaon54.12%4Kharadi-Wagholi56.48%5Kalyaninagar-Wadgaon Sheri51.56%6Yerawada-Gandhinagar53.42%7Gokhalenagar-Wakdewadi49.76%8Aundh-Bopodi45.12%9Sus-Baner-Pashan52.93%10Bavdhan-Bhusari Colony55.05%11Rambaug Colony-Shivteerthnagar56.68%12Shivajinagar-Model Colony49.32%13Pune Station-Jay Jawannagar50.45%14Koregaon Park-Ghorpadi-Mundhwa52.13%15Manjri Budruk-Keshavnagar-Sadesatranali55.92%16Hadapsar-Satavwadi52.17%17Ramtekdi-Malwadi-Vaiduwadi50.33%18Wanowrie-Salunkhe Vihar45.54%19Kondhwa Khurd-Kausurbaug47.97%20Shankar Maharaj Math-Bibewadi53.50%21Mukundnagar-Salisbury Park49.54%22Kashewadi-Dias Plot53.49%23Rawiwar Peth-Nana Peth51.97%24Kasba Ganpati -Kamla Nehru Hospital-KEM hospital54.75%25Shaniwar Peth-Mahatma Phule Mandai53.51%26Ghorpade Peth-Gurwar Peth-Samta Bhoomi52.52%27Navi Peth- Parvati52.27%28Janta Vasahat-Hingane Khurd54.38%29Deccan Gymkhana-Happy Colony51.34%30Karvenagar-Hingne Home Colony55.52%31Mayur Colony-Kothrud52.07%32Warje-Popularnagar55.39%33Shivane-Khadakwasla-Dhayari57.81%34Vadgaon Budruk-Dhayari54.92%35Suncity-Manik Baug48.59%36Sahakarnagar-Padmavati54.62%37Dhankawadi-Katraj Dairy49.93%38Balajinagar-Ambegaon-Katraj54.11%39Upper Super Indiranagar52.22%40Kondhwa Budhruk-Yeolewadi49.70%41Mohammadwadi-Undri49.78%Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read MoreClick here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:pune