Maharashtra BMC Elections Highlights: Polling concludes in Mumbai, 28 other corporations, exit polls out

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The voting in the high-stakes Maharashtra local body polls has been concluded. The voter turnout stood at 41.13% till 3.30 pm, witnessing a significant low since the 2017 BMC Polls.

A voter turnout of 39.64 per cent was registered in the Nashik Municipal Corporation polls till 3:30 pm, and a turnout of 46.18 per cent in Malegaon Municipal Corporation in the district.

Actor Ranbir Kapoor casts his vote in the Mumbai Civic Body polls. He met the reporters and also shared his experience.

Bollywood actor Kartik Aryan cast his vote in the BMC elections along with his mother and sister.

Bollywood actor-couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor cast their votes in the Mumbai Civic Body polls. 

Actor Salman Khan casts his vote in the Mumbai Civic Body polls. The actor was spotted heading towards the poll station surrounded by bodyguards. 

 

Till 3.30 pm, 41.08% residents of Mumbai have practised their electoral rights in the Mumbai Civic Body polls.

Emphasising the development of Mumbai under the NDA-ruling, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam said, "A stream of development is flowing in Mumbai... Mumbai must have a triple-engine government..."

He highlighted that in the centre, state, and local bodies, the NDA coalition needs to be in power. 

(With inputs from ANI)

On Uddhav Thackeray's claims regarding the removable ink, BJP minister Ashish Shelar stated that action should be taken against those who are erasing the ink.

However, he also slammed both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray as he said that they had smelled the defeat and, as a result, were playing these bogus games.

The AIMIM MP Waris Pathan slammed the Maharashtra government for the alleged mismanagement in the BMC Civic Polls. 

It is the failure of the Maharashtra government and the fault of the Election Commissioner. I visited every booth in Mumbai, and there was utter chaos everywhere. Names of voters were missing...women and senior citizens were so troubled. They were being turned back. What did the EC even do?" Pathan told ANI.

Amid the ink controversy in the Maharashtra civic body polls, the Maharashtra Election Commission Chief, Dinesh Waghmare, said that the ink was used by ECI and it is indelible. If someone tampers and votes again, then we will register a case. 

(Inputs from Vidya)

Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Ravindra Chavan on Thursday exuded confidence that the ruling Mahayuti would secure victory in the 29 local bodies across the state.

"Under the leadership of PM Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, we have run an election campaign on a development agenda, and we fully believe that 29 municipalities will elect a mayor from Mahayuti," Chavan told reporters.

(With inputs from ANI.)

Former Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, along with his family, including MP Praniti Shinde, cast their vote in Solapur for the Maharashtra local body elections on Thursday.

"When we vote in the Solapur Municipal Corporation and Maharashtra local body elections, our vote should be for development. Congress is fighting for this, and the way the BJP is doing politics by murdering someone or by distributing money... maybe they have the arrogance of having power for the first time, which is why they are misusing it..," she told reporters.

(With inputs from ANI.)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday hit out at the opposition over allegations surrounding the civic polls, claiming they were raising objections because they anticipated defeat.

"We are fighting the elections on the agenda of development. I talked to the Election Commission, and they said we have been using EVMs since 2012, and they (opposition) know they will face defeat, which is why they are finding excuses. But the elections must be transparent and the Election Commission should arrange for it," Shinde said.

Responding to allegations raised by MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the use of marker pens in the civic polls, the State Election Commission on Thursday said any attempt to remove ink from a voter's finger and create confusion amounts to an electoral irregularity and will invite legal action. In a statement, the Election Commission said if any person is found attempting to vote again after erasing the ink mark on their finger, strict action will be taken against them as per law. It clarified that even if someone tries to wipe off the ink, the voter cannot cast a ballot again, as adequate safeguards are already in place.

The Commission explained that once a voter casts their vote, the record is entered into official registers, making repeat voting impossible merely by removing the ink. It added that instructions have once again been issued to all concerned to remain vigilant against any such attempts.

Voter turnout in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections stood at 17.73 per cent as of 11.30 am on January 15, 2026, according to official figures. Polling is underway across the city, with authorities expecting participation to pick up as the day progresses.

A controversy broke out during voting in Pune on Thursday after NCP workers alleged large-scale malpractice at a polling booth linked to the BJP. The incident was reported from the Dhayari area in Ward No. 34, where NCP workers accused BJP functionaries of trying to remove indelible ink marks from voters' fingers, allegedly enabling them to vote again. The workers claimed that cleaner bottles were being used to wipe off the ink.

Acting on these suspicions, NCP workers reportedly entered a BJP office located near the polling booth and seized the bottles in question. Following the episode, Maharashtra State Women’s Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar lodged a formal complaint over the alleged irregularities, seeking action from the authorities.

Voter turnout in the Maharashtra civic elections reached 19.68 percent in Navi Mumbai as 11.30 am. Polling continues across the city, with officials urging residents to participate actively in the civic polls.

Maharashtra's civic polls are underway, with voter turnout varying across different municipalities as of 11.30 am on Thursday.

Thane recorded 19 per cent voting, while Ahilyanagar Municipal Corporation saw a slightly higher turnout of 20.16 per cent. In Kalyan-Dombivli, 17.27 per cent of eligible voters had cast their ballots by the same time. Nagpur City Municipal Corporation reported a turnout of 12 per cent till 11.30 am. Polling continues across the state as citizens head to booths to elect representatives for key urban local bodies.

Singer Kailash Kher cast his vote in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections on Thursday and called on citizens to actively participate in the democratic process.

Speaking to reporters after voting, Kher praised the responsibility of Mumbaikars in exercising their franchise. "The people of Mumbai are very responsible, they fulfil their duty, we just have to carry forward this tradition. Every person should step out of their home and vote," he said.