Voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections will be held on January 15, bringing an end to nearly three years without an elected civic body in India’s financial capital. Counting of votes will take place the following day, January 16, with results expected by evening.
The election will be conducted in a single phase across all 227 wards of Greater Mumbai. Polling stations will remain open from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. A public holiday has been declared within municipal limits to facilitate voter participation.
Around 1,700 candidates are contesting the elections, making it one of the most closely watched municipal polls in the country. The BMC is India’s wealthiest civic body and plays a key role in decisions related to infrastructure, sanitation, public health and urban planning.
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Voting and counting schedule
According to the State Election Commission, polling will be held on Thursday, January 15. Vote counting will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 16, with ward-wise results expected to be declared by the end of the day.
The election will be conducted without phase-wise polling. Officials said this was intended to simplify logistics and ensure faster declaration of results.
Candidates and voter arrangements
The 2026 elections feature a mix of candidates from major political parties as well as independents. Campaigning concluded two days ahead of polling in line with the model code of conduct.
To assist voters, the municipal administration has distributed voter information slips containing details of polling stations, ward numbers and electoral roll entries. Voters without their Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) will be allowed to vote by producing any valid alternative identity document, including Aadhaar card, passport or driving licence.
Election officials said arrangements have been made to manage crowds and ensure smooth polling across the city.
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Wider municipal polls in Maharashtra
The BMC elections are part of a larger round of civic polls in Maharashtra. Voting will also take place on January 15 for 28 other municipal corporations across the State.
The outcome of the Mumbai civic polls is expected to have significant political implications, given the BMC’s financial strength and its influence on urban governance in the State.
