02 January,2026 09:22 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday suspended a junior auditor working with its finance department for alleged misconduct and obstructing the ongoing BMC elections 2026 process, reported news agency PTI.
In a release, the BMC said the action against the auditor was ordered by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi, reported PTI.
The suspended auditor, Deepak Johare, who worked with the civic body's finance department, was deputed to the central election office (RO) as part of election-related duties, the release said.
A complaint supported by prima facie evidence was received against the official alleging serious misconduct and interference in the election process, the BMC stated, reported PTI.
"The municipal corporation administration received a complaint and strong evidence that Johare had committed very serious misconduct during the election process and obstructed the election process," the release stated, reported PTI.
A preliminary inquiry found the charges to be of a grave nature, following which Joshi ordered the auditor's suspension with immediate effect.
The Additional Municipal Commissioner has cautioned that strict action will be taken against any civic employee found indulging in acts that hamper or interfere with the election process, according to the release, reported PTI.
The BMC, along with civic bodies of 28 other cities and towns in Maharashtra, will go to polls on January 15. Scrutiny of nominations filed by candidates is over and January 2 is the last date for opting out of the race for the 227-member civic body, India's largest and richest.
Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has finalised 10,231 polling stations across the metropolis for civic polls to be held on January 15.
In a release issued on Thursday evening, BMC said 4,386 of these will be located in government and semi-government buildings, 702 in cooperative housing societies and 5,143 in private buildings.
The polling stations include closed, semi-closed and open structures, selected based on population, voter density and local geographical conditions to ensure a smooth polling process, the release said.
Elaborate preparations have been made to ensure smooth, transparent and accessible voting for over 1.03 crore electors, the release quoted BMC chief and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani as saying.
"The final ward-wise list of polling stations for all 227 wards has been published in accordance with State Election Commission guidelines. Voters must verify their designated polling stations in advance to avoid inconvenience on polling day," Gagrani said.
The BMC said special facilities will be provided for senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities, including ramps, electricity, drinking water, toilets and voter assistance centres near polling locations. Votes will be counted on January 16.
(With inputs from PTI)
