BMC elections 2026: Civic body seizes Rs 3 lakh cash, Rs 44 cr worth drugs, during run-up to polls

Mumbai Police conducting routine patrols ahead of the polls. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE

In the past 20 days, with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in force ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the civic body has seized Rs 3.1 crore in cash, confiscated narcotic substances weighing 55 kg, worth Rs 44 crore, and seized 1237 litres of alcohol worth Rs 8.3 lakh during election patrolling drives. A total of 16 election-related non-cognisable offence cases have been filed by the civic body, along with 13 cognisable offence cases, the civic body revealed at a briefing on Monday.

PADU as back-up

Speaking at the briefing, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani confirmed that the civic body has received 140 PADU machines (Printing Auxiliary Display Unit), which will act as a backup if there is a technical problem while counting votes.

Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray join forces. PIC/RANE ASHISH

As per instructions of the State Election Commission, voting units must be connected to the main control unit during the counting of votes. "In case of any emergency situation or technical error in connecting the voting units to the control unit, PADUs will be used as a backup," he said.

A senior official of BMC's election department explained, "EVM has two components, the voting units and the control unit. The voting unit needs to be connected to the control unit at the time of vote counting.

Increase in polling locations

This time, the BMC has set up 2600 polling locations, an increase of 300 in comparison to the Vidhan Sabha locations in October 2024. This came in a bid to reduce congestion on roads and at the polling locations.

‘Don't carry mobile phones'

Mayayuti camp leaders, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and CM Devendra Fadnavis. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

BMC urged voters not to carry mobile phones to polling stations. "In case one carries a mobile phone, it must be switched off," said an official.

BMC polls: A numbers game

mid-day gives you a breakup of all that is involved with this civic election

Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) at polling stations

The BMC Election Cell conducts mock polls. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

>> Drinking water
>> Waiting room/shed for voters
>> Restrooms
>> Adequate lighting
>> Suitable ramp and wheelchair for differently-abled voters
>> Standard voting compartment, necessary signage
>> Preference will be given to voters with disabilities, pregnant women and senior citizens while entering the polling booth

Pink/sakhi polling stations

Election duty staff gets training on Electronic Voting Machines. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

>> At least one pink/sakhi polling station managed exclusively by women established in each ward
>> All election staff, including police and security personnel, at the polling station are women

Polling locations 2278
Polling stations 10,231

Polling Stations at…
Government Buildings

Enclosed 2382
Semi-enclosed 879
Open spaces 1143

Cooperative housing societies
Enclosed 181
Semi-enclosed 312
Open space 209

Private buildings
Enclosed 2693
Semi-enclosed 1385
Open spaces 1040

60 lakh
No of voter information slips distributed door-to-door by Monday (January 12)

64,375
No of staff appointed to manage polling stations

22,000
No of Mumbai Police officers deployed on election duty

4,500
Approximate No. of volunteers recruited to help with voter queues, crowd management, disabled/senior citizens

Male: 55,16,707
Female: 48,26,509
Others: 10,990
Total: 1,03,44,315