The BMC polls scheduled for January 2026. Representational Pic
The civic elections for 29 municipal bodies including the high-stake Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), and other corporations are just around the corner.
The civic polls will decide the fate of hundreds of municipal councillors who are in fray for the January 15 polls. The candidates of major political parties in Maharashtra including the BJP, AAP, AIMIM and the two factions of the Shiv Sena and NCP are even going door-to-door to please the voters for the upcoming polls.
Unlike Members of Parliament (MPs) or Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), who focus on national and state-level policy, a corporator (also known as a councillor) is responsible for the daily civic issues of in the neighbourhood.
With Maharashtra's political landscape changing rapidly, especially after the local body election results in late 2025 and ahead of the BMC polls scheduled for January 2026, here is a practical guide on how to vote and what one should know before polling day.
You are eligible to vote only if your name appears in the Voter List, also known as the Electoral Roll. Voters can also use official platforms to find details about their polling booth, contesting candidates, election dates and timings, identity requirements, and information related to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
You can vote only if your name is listed on the Electoral Roll. Voters are advised to verify their registration status well in advance of polling day.
The voting process at a polling station follows these steps:
The first polling official will verify your name on the voter list and check your identity proof.
The second polling official will apply indelible ink on your finger, hand you a slip, and take your signature in the voter register (Form 17A).
You must submit the slip to the third polling official, show your inked finger, and then proceed to the polling booth.
Record your vote by pressing the button next to the symbol of your chosen candidate on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). You will hear a beep sound confirming your vote.
Check the slip displayed in the transparent window of the VVPAT machine. The slip, which shows the candidate's serial number, name, and symbol, will be visible for seven seconds before it drops into the sealed VVPAT box.
If you do not wish to vote for any candidate, you may choose NOTA (None of the Above), which is the last button on the EVM.
For additional details, voters can refer to the official Voter Guide available at ecisveep.nic.in.
Mobile phones, cameras, and any other electronic gadgets are not permitted inside the polling booth.
EVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine, and VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail. Voters can watch an official demonstration video to understand how to cast their vote using the EVM-VVPAT system.
Voters must carry one of the following recognised identity documents to the polling station. The Photo Voter Slip is not accepted as a stand-alone identity document.
EPIC (Voter ID card)
Passport
Driving licence
Service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Governments, PSUs, or public limited companies
Passbooks with photograph issued by banks or post offices
PAN card
Smart card issued by the Registrar General of India (RGI) under NPR
MNREGA job card (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee)
Health insurance smart card issued under schemes of the Ministry of Labour
Pension document with photograph
Official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs, or MLCs
Aadhaar card
