In the crucial hours leading up to polling day, the Mumbai Police force took steps to secure the streets, launching an extensive preventive crackdown. The operation, conducted from the night of January 13 till late January 14, was aimed at neutralising potential threats before voting began.

Police officers said the action was part of election bandobast and focused on categories considered most vulnerable to poll-related disturbances — known body offenders, drug-related cases, bootlegging networks, and absconding and wanted accused.