Polling has concluded across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, among them the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) which has an annual budget of over Rs 74,000 crore. Last held in 2017, the BMC polls are a litmus test for all key political players who are in the fray as part of largely untested formations.
For BJP and its ally, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, this is the first municipal election in Mumbai since the Sena split. Estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have joined hands 20 years after Raj floated the MNS, now allied with Uddhav’s Sena (UBT).
The Congress is contesting in an alliance with Prakash Ambedkar’s VBA, while Ajit Pawar-led NCP and uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) have buried the hatchet in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The BMC has 227 wards. The BJP has fielded candidates in 137 wards and the Shiv Sena in 90; the NCP is contesting 94 wards separately; the Sena (UBT) has fielded 163 candidates and the MNS 52; the Congress is contesting 143 and the VBA 46 wards.
HIGHLIGHTS | Mumbai elections voting
10 pm: Mumbai voter turnout in Lok Sabha, assembly & BMC polls
8 pm: Axis My India predict BJP-Sena win in BMC
Pollster Axis My India has predicted that the BJP and ally Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena could win 131-151 of BMC’s 227 wards. For the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT), MNS and NCP (SP), it has predicted 56-58 wards; and 12-16 wards for the Congress-VBA-RSP combine.
5.45 pm: Voting trends as of 3.30 pm
The turnout across all 29 civic bodies was recorded at 41.13 percent at 3.30 pm. Pune saw 36.95 percent voting, while Kolhapur hit the 50 percent-mark, according to data from the State Election Commission.
5.30 pm: Polling ends
Voting across all wards of BMC has now ended.
4.30 pm: Last hour of polling for BMC
Voter turnout stands at 41.08 percent across 227 wards of BMC, as of 3.30 pm.
3.50 pm: ‘We complain about issues, must vote now’
Actor Ranbir Kapoor casts his vote at a polling station in Mumbai. Speaking to media persons, he thanked the BMC for “giving such great facilities”.
VIDEO | BMC Polls 2026: After casting his vote, Actor Ranbir Kapoor says, “It is our duty as Indian citizens to cast a vote. We complain all the time about issues, so this is your time to come and vote. I thank BMC for giving such great facilities.”#BMCElections2026
(Full… pic.twitter.com/KGoxzPOtrL
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 15, 2026
3.30 pm: Voter turnout across 29 corporations
State Election Commission says voter count across all 29 civic bodies stands at 29.22 percent, as of 1.30 pm.
3.15 pm: ‘Blatant murder of democracy’: Uddhav
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray says multiple complaints are coming in about some people’s names being missing from the voter list, and the ‘indelible’ ink being cleaned off.
“Old EVM machines have been installed. There is so much greed in these people to gain power. I have never seen such a shameless government. We will protest now, all the people will protest… That’s why they want One Nation One Election, so that they can commit fraud and irregularities across the entire nation at the same time, and seize control of the entire country… So, all of this is a blatant murder of democracy,” he says.
#WATCH | Mumbai: On the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections 2026, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "There are many places from where complaints are coming in. Some people's names are missing from the voter list. For the… pic.twitter.com/gpzqCJLPgS
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026
3.00 pm: Voter turnout in Mumbai remains sluggish
Mumbai records a voter count of 29.96 percent, as of 1.30 pm.
2.55 pm: Mumbai’s demographic mutation & its political dimensions
Mumbai’s name and its character have transformed over decades. Vast textile mills have been replaced by malls, protests have been confined to a corner of Azad Maidan, the communist leadership has been overshadowed by capitalists, and sprawling chawls have given way to soaring high-rises. Along with cosmetic changes, Mumbai has undergone drastic changes in its demographics—a key parameter that will decide the BMC polls and the future of the city.
The elections are a crucial test for the Thackeray legacy in Mumbai, where the Shiv Sena dominated civic politics for 25 years at a stretch. But the city’s changing demographics and economy have had a far reaching effect on its voting pattern.
2.10 pm: State Election Commission, CM respond to row over use of marker pens
Amid complaints, especially in Mumbai, about the State Election Commission using marker pens, instead of indelible ink in the voting process, the poll body has said that it is wrong to erase the ink and confuse voters. “If we identify any voter coming to the booth after erasing the ink, action will be taken against the voter. Even if any voter like this comes up, he/she won’t be able to vote again because officials take note of those exercising their rights,” it said in a statement.
The SEC added that marker pens have been in use ever since the new set of rules and regulations were issued in November 2011.
According to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Opposition is making an issue out of this “because they are on the losing side”.
“These things are decided by the Election Commission. And marker pens were used previously as well. But if there are complaints then the Election Commission should take a note,” Fadnavis told media persons.
“I have also been marked with a marker, is it erasing?” he said, trying to rub off the ink mark on his finger.
Read Purva Chitnis’s report.
#WATCH | Nagpur | On MNS chief Raj Thackeray's statement, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "I have also been marked with a marker, is it erasing? The Election Commission should look into this issue and use something else, they can use oil paint if they want, the elections… https://t.co/YQeMZvhZV7 pic.twitter.com/mKN0wDfmDk
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026
1.30 pm: Dy CM Shinde casts his vote in Thane
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde votes at a polling station in Thane. Voting at Thane Municipal Corporation is underway, alongside Mumbai and 27 others.
VIDEO | Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde casts his vote for the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) elections 2026.#MumbaiElections #BMC2026
(Full VIDEO available on https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/CjSbzbLUj4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 15, 2026
12.55 pm: The Thackerays cast their votes
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, wife Rashmi, and sons Aaditya and Tejas, show their inked fingers after casting their votes at a polling station in Mumbai.
पक्षप्रमुख मा. श्री. उद्धवसाहेब ठाकरे, सौ. रश्मीवहिनी ठाकरे, युवासेनाप्रमुख शिवसेना नेते आमदार आदित्य ठाकरे आणि तेजस ठाकरे ह्यांनी आज वांद्रे पूर्व येथील मतदान केंद्रावर जाऊन मुंबई वाचवण्यासाठी सहकुटुंब मतदान केले. pic.twitter.com/FGr8D0Mi8E
— ShivSena – शिवसेना Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) January 15, 2026
12.45 pm: Gentle uptick in turnout
The overall voter turnout in Mumbai was recorded at 17.73 percent, as of 11.30 am.
12.15 pm: BJP candidate ‘assaulted’ in Nagpur
A Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Bhushan Shingne, contesting the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections from Ward No. 11 was allegedly attacked by individuals linked to a rival candidate Wednesday night. Reports suggest that the attack occurred around midnight, when Shingne was visiting Gorewada area to meet a party worker.
Shingne was rushed to Indira Gandhi Medical College Casuality Centre, where it was found that his hand and nose were fractured, along with a critical injury. He was later taken to Kingsway Hospital in the city, where he is currently undergoing treatment. A complaint of the assault was registered at Gittikhadan Police Station.
A senior police officer told reporters that a case has been registered against one person and unidentified others. According to party’s city chief Dayashankar Tiwari, Shingne, along with five of his supporters, was in Gorewada after he heard about some “anti-social elements” trying to vitiate the atmosphere and distribute money. But when Shingne reached the spot, he was allegedly attacked by a group of around 40-50 persons, and hit on the face and hand with stones, Tiwari told media persons.
He alleged that this was the Congress’s scheme and that the Congress party’s candidate was also present at the scene.
12.00 pm: Maharashtra minister struggles to vote
Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik had to wait for a few hours Thursday morning to cast his vote in Navi Mumbai. He and his family could not initially find their names on the voters’ list at two polling centres. Their names were eventually found split across different centres, where they finally cast their votes.
Naik told media persons, “If a minister like me can find his name missing from the voters’ list, one can imagine what might be happening to common voters.”
11.50 am: CM Fadnavis casts his vote in Nagpur
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his family cast their votes at a polling station in Nagpur.
🗳️VOTED with family, in Nagpur for Municipal Corporation Elections.
I did my DUTY!
Have you done yours ❓
PLEASE STEP OUT AND VOTE NOW!
🗳️संपूर्ण कुटुंबासह आज नागपूर येथे मतदानाचे कर्तव्य बजावले.
आपण मतदान केले का❓
बाहेर पडा, मोठ्या संख्येने मतदान करा व लोकशाहीच्या महोत्सवात… pic.twitter.com/MdNJ0SIyWH
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 15, 2026
11.35 am: AAP lodges complaint over alleged use of ‘marker pens’ instead of indelible ink
Multiple complaints have surfaced about the State Election Commission allegedly marking voters’ fingers with “marker pens”, instead of the government-manufactured indelible ink. Aam Aadmi Party’s Mumbai unit has said that it has lodged an official complaint with the SEC. Party leader Ruben Mascarenhas posted a video clip, where he can seen removing the purported ink mark on his finger with a nail polish remover. The SEC is yet to comment on the matter.
Ink-marks being made on Voter’s fingers by using ‘marker pens’ instead of Govt manufactured indelible ink, is easily wearing off by the simple use of ‘Nail Polish Remover’ as I demonstrate, in this video.
Totally Unacceptable. Elections are being reduced to a farce.… pic.twitter.com/io5nEfUMHx
— Ruben Mascarenhas (@rubenmasc) January 15, 2026
11.00 am: Marathi manoos to ‘Adanistan’: 5 talking points of Maharashtra’s high-stakes civic polls campaign
In a fiercely fought campaign, the ruling and opposition alliances weren’t the only ones trading barbs—several alliances also witnessed infighting over a host of issues.
Political analyst Abhay Deshpande told ThePrint that many of the issues stemmed from the nearly eight-year gap between elections.
Read Purva Chitnis’s report on the top five main themes that dominated the poll campaign.
10.50 am: Sluggish start to BMC polls
The city has recorded a voter turnout of 7.12 percent, as of 9.30 am.
10.30 am: ‘Your vote is meant to nurture democracy’
Lyricist and poet Gulzar casts his vote at a polling station in Mumbai.
#WATCH | Mumbai: After casting his vote for the BMC Elections, lyricist Gulzar said, "We are rooted in our homeland, and your vote is to nurture those roots and to nurture democracy, so be sure to fulfil this duty…" pic.twitter.com/4Qd1p1NyIz
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026
10.10 am: ‘An important election’
Among the first ones to vote Thursday morning in Mumbai were actor Akshay Kumar, Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar shows his inked finger after casting his vote for the BMC elections.
He says, "This is a very important election. It gives us a chance where we can express our opinion through votes. Everyone should come out and cast their… https://t.co/a3GAx722A7 pic.twitter.com/dweQFzV796
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and his wife Seema Goyal show their inked fingers after casting their votes at a polling station in Mumbai for the BMC elections. pic.twitter.com/kyjOku8sB1
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026
10.00 am: Significance of Maharashtra civic polls, & India’s miserable cities
#CutTheClutter episode 1783 looks at the significance, key players & politics of these elections where alliance equations have changed—allies are competing and rivals have united. ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta also highlights India’s urban governance problems and the four ‘brand destroyers’ of India. Deputy Editor Manasi Phadke joins in, from Mumbai.
09.30 am: ‘First duty of the day’
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat cast his vote in Nagpur early Thursday. “With balanced opinion and consideration for people’s welfare, it is our duty to vote for the right candidate. It is the first duty of the day, and that is why I came here first to stand in line and vote,” he said.
VIDEO | Nagpur: After casting his vote in the NMC polls, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, “In a democratic setup, voting is needed to elect the government, and hence it is the duty of every citizen. With balanced opinion and consideration for people’s welfare, it is our duty to vote… pic.twitter.com/XyOBYlr6bk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 15, 2026
09.15 am: What parties have promised Mumbai
The BMC elections, coming after prolonged litigation, administrator’s rule, and political realignments in Maharashtra, have prompted major political alliances to release expansive, high-stakes manifestos.
These blueprints for India’s richest civic body address critical urban problems, blending ambitious infrastructure goals with populist appeals of free power and tax waivers, and send out unmistakable political signals, be it about pursuing “infiltrators” or upholding Marathi interests.
In a city without elected corporators since 2022, all the competing parties have attempted to solidify their core bases through their manifestos.
Eyeing Hindu vote consolidation, the Mahayuti, comprising the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, promise to drive out “illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingya Muslims” from Mumbai. Coupled with its ambitious promise of delivering 3.5 million new, affordable homes in five years, through the redevelopment of chawls, slums, and dilapidated buildings, it has designed an arresting manifesto.
Running solo, Ajit Pawar’s NCP pitched itself as a technocratic and development-first party in its manifesto, which is focused on an AI-powered ‘smart traffic signal’ and the expansion of CCTV and WiFi networks under the ‘Smart City’ initiative. AI-enabled education and women’s safety have also been promised in what is a tech-driven, security-focused manifesto.
The Thackeray brothers’ alliance of Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, along with Sharad Pawar’s NCP, has made the middle-class Mumbai residents the center of their manifesto, promising financial support up to Rs 1 lakh for the youth as well as relief from property tax and cost-of-living tax for houses under 700 sq ft.
08.50 am: ‘The matter of who will develop Mumbai and how’
Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar casts his vote in BMC polls. He says, “It’s the most crucial election for the development of Mumbai and a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore. We have to make our city developed…”
#WATCH | Mumbai | Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar shows his inked finger after casting his vote for BMC elections
He says, "It's the most crucial election, for the development of Mumbai and a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore. We have to make our city a developed Mumbai. I… pic.twitter.com/hk8yTiGdOp
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026
08.20 am: Voting underway across 29 civic bodies
Among the key municipal corporations voting Thursday are Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, Kolhapur, Pimpri Chinchwad, Akola, Nashik, and so on. The counting of votes will take place Friday.
State government has declared a public holiday across all the regions where voting is underway. Stock markets are also shut for the day.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Members of a family show their inked fingers after casting their votes at a polling station in Mumbai for the BMC elections. pic.twitter.com/OEZz4rjsY6
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026
07.30 am: Polls open in Mumbai
The fate of 1,700 candidates hangs in the balance as Mumbai residents cast their votes to elect 227 corporators to the country’s wealthiest civic body.
Voting began at 7.30 am and will continue until 5.30 pm Thursday (15 January).
In the last BMC elections held in 2017, the undivided Sena secured 84 wards and BJP 82, followed by the Congress (31), NCP (9), MNS (7), SP (6) and AIMIM (2).
The term of corporators elected to the civic body in 2017 ended in 2022, after which BMC was placed under administrative control.
Besides Mumbai, polling is also underway for 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra. With 3.48 crore eligible voters and 15,931 candidates in the fray, polling is to be held for election to 893 wards.
This includes 1,700 candidates in Mumbai and 1,666 in Pune.