BMC Election 2026 LIVE: Voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections is scheduled for today, January 15, 2026, marking the city’s return to the polls after a four-year delay. Mumbaikars will cast their votes to elect new corporators, with the previous civic elections having been held in 2017.
The State Election Commission (SEC) announced the election schedule on December 15, 2025, covering polls across 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai. In the city, voting will be conducted across 227 wards in Greater Mumbai.
To facilitate participation, the SEC has declared a public holiday in all municipal corporation areas on polling day.
According to the sources, more than 1.03 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The polls are being conducted under the Model Code of Conduct and in compliance with directives from higher courts to complete long-pending local body elections in Maharashtra.
Officials have urged citizens to actively take part in the democratic exercise and make use of their right to vote.
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 votes…”
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar arrives at a polling station in Mumbai to cast his vote for the BMC elections.
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Prakash Javdekar casts his vote at a polling booth in Balshikshan School, Pune, for Maharashtra local body elections.
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 appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers… You have the opportunity to teach a lesson to the corrupt party of Thackeray… The Mumbaikars have decided to vote for Viksit Maharashtra under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde.”
He further said, “This is a matter of who will develop Mumbai and how… They (opposition) tried to link the elections with language and sentiments in 2014 and 2017, and Uddhav Thackeray faced defeat both times. This time as well, Mahayuti will be victorious…”
Voting started across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra on Thursday morning, January 15, 2026, with Mumbai emerging as the key battleground. The contest for control of the country’s largest and wealthiest civic body has intensified, as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance faces off against the reunited Thackeray cousins.
Voting started at 7.30 a.m. under strict security arrangements and will continue until 5.30 p.m. The elections cover 2,869 seats across 893 wards, with 3.48 crore voters eligible to cast their ballots to determine the political future of 15,931 candidates.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday described voting as a citizen’s foremost responsibility after he cast his vote in Nagpur during the Maharashtra civic body elections 2026.
Emphasising the importance of participation in a democracy, Bhagwat said electing a government requires active involvement from citizens. He urged voters to exercise their franchise with a balanced mindset and with the welfare of society in mind. Calling voting the “first duty of the day,” he said this was the reason he made it a priority to arrive early, stand in the queue, and cast his vote, according to agencies.
Two brothers and Shiv Sena candidates, Nitin Patil and Ravi Patil, were taken into custody after police registered an attempt-to-murder case in connection with a violent confrontation between Shiv Sena and BJP workers in Dombivli. The clash resulted in serious injuries to the husband of BJP candidate Arya Natekar.
A disturbing incident was reported from Nagpur late on the night ahead of polling, where BJP candidate Bhushan Shingane was allegedly attacked in what is being described as an attempt on his life. Shingane, who is contesting from Ward No. 11 on a BJP ticket, was targeted just hours before voting was to take place.
BMC Election 2026 LIVE: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is leading the campaign for the BJP-led Mahayuti, has predicted that MNS leader Raj Thackeray will emerge as the biggest loser in an alliance with his cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray.
BMC Election 2026 LIVE: Mumbai Police have stepped up security arrangements ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for Thursday. Voting will be held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm across the city.
Police personnel have set up barricades at key locations and are conducting checks on vehicles to maintain law and order during polling. Security has been intensified to ensure a peaceful and smooth voting process.
