BMC Election 2026 in Mumbai: Are you ready to cast your vote on January 15?

Mumbai is all set to vote The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC election along with elections for 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra will be held on Thursday January 15 2026 from 730 am to 530 pm Counting of votes will happen the next day Friday January 16 from 10 amWhatrsquos happening in the BMC Election 2026Mumbai is divided into 24 administrative wards with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC overseeing civic services like sewerage public health waste management and other local issues in these wards labelled A to TEach administrative ward is further split into smaller electoral wards for which corporators are elected There are 227 electoral wards in total Of these 113 are under the General Category while 114 are reserved for women including women from Scheduled Castes SC Scheduled Tribes ST and Other Backward Classes OBCBMC elections are held every five years to elect corporators who then represent their wards in the BMC The last civic polls were in February 2017 and the fiveyear term ended on March 7 2022 Since then the BMC has been administered by a governmentappointed administrator the municipal commissionerThis year 1700 candidates are contesting the election 879 women and 821 men To form a majority and elect the Mayor of Mumbai a party or alliance needs at least 114 seatsHow to vote in personThe first polling official will verify your name on the voter list and check your ID proofThe second official will apply indelible ink on your finger hand you a slip and take your signature in the voter register Form 17ASubmit the slip to the third polling official show your inked finger and proceed to the polling boothPress the button next to the symbol of your chosen candidate on the Electronic Voting Machine EVMCheck the VVPAT slip that shows the candidatersquos serial number name and symbol for 7 seconds before it drops into the sealed boxDonrsquot want to vote for anyone Press NOTA None of the AboveHow many seats needed to winTotal seats 227Seats needed to win simple majority 114Important rules at polling stationsNo mobile phones cameras or electronic gadgets allowed inside the boothYou can watch official EVMVVPAT demo videos to understand how to vote correctlyParties and their symbolsBharatiya Janata Party BJP ndash LotusIndian National Congress INC ndash HandShiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction ndash Bow and ArrowShiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction ndash Flaming Torch MashalNationalist Congress Party Ajit Pawar faction ndash ClockNationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar faction ndash Man Blowing TrumpetMaharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS ndash Railway EngineVanchit Bahujan Aghadi VBA ndash Gas CylinderIndependent Candidates ndash Various symbols allotted individuallyMain parties Alliances contesting in BMC Elections 2026Bharatiya Janata Party BJP ndash Contesting the majority of seats as part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in MumbaiShiv Sena Eknath Shindeled ndash Allied with BJP under the Mahayuti banner contesting a significant number of wardsNationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar faction ndash Contesting independently though discussions with Mahayuti were ongoingIndian National Congress INC ndash Contesting on its own strength and not in alliance with the other major formationsVanchit Bahujan Aghadi VBA ndash Announced readiness to contest a large number of seats up to around 200Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction ndash Fielding candidates and active in campaign mobilizationMaharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS ndash Contesting as part of coordination with Uddhav Sena in some areas independent candidatesOther candidatesIndependent candidates mdash Contesting across multiple wards outside major party tickets as usual in civic pollsSmaller regional parties local fronts mdash Some may field candidates in individual wards coverage varies by region and candidate filing outcomesMusthave details about the BMC Election 2026Date of polling January 15Polling day timing 730 AM to 530 PMWho can vote Registered votersHow to check voter details Electoral rollvoter slipofficial website or helplineWhat to carry Valid voter ID EPIC or approved alternative IDsCode of conduct reminder No phones cameras or campaigning near boothsTips for firsttime votersCheck your voter ID and the polling booth beforehandPlan your timing to avoid the rushYour vote decides the future of Mumbairsquos roads water transport sanitation and local services Even one vote matters show up press the button and make your voice heardGet all BMC Election 2026 updates here Your ward info herehttpswwwmiddaycombmcelectionhttpswwwmiddaycombmcelectionknowyourward