Civic polls: 50,000 polling staff being trained in city as Mumbai prepares for BMC Election 2026

The training sessions began on December 29 and are being conducted in three sessions each day at seven locations across Mumbai.

Focus on voting rules and responsibilities

During the training, officers were being briefed in detail on the voting rules and procedures. Their questions were addressed to ensure clarity and confidence in handling election duties.

Officials were told that their responsibility goes beyond polling day and extends to every stage of the election process, requiring strict adherence to rules, transparency and alertness.

Hands-on demonstration of EVMs

As the civic elections will be conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), practical demonstrations were given on the use of the Ballot Unit (BU) and Control Unit (CU).

The training covered include, linking of BU and CU, conducting a mock poll before voting begins, procedures to be followed on polling day, handling possible technical issues, sealing and safe handover of EVMs after voting and guidance on poll-day arrangements, the statement said.

Officials were also trained on setting up polling stations and voting compartments, preparations to be made a day before polling, security arrangements at polling centres, verification of marked voter lists, distribution and checking and return of election materials and duties of polling officers and responsibilities of presiding officers.

Post-poll procedures, documentation, report submission and coordination with senior officials were also explained in detail.

Large-scale training programme

To ensure a smooth, transparent and fair election process, around 50,000 officers and staff involved in the election are being trained, the official statement said.

The training programme is being organised under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, with guidance from Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi, who also visited and reviewed the sessions.

Training locations across Mumbai

Training sessions are being held at the following venues in Mumbai- 

- Annabhau Sathe Auditorium, Byculla

- N M Joshi Marg Municipal School, Curry Road

- Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital Auditorium, Sion East

- Balgandharva Rangmandir, Bandra West

- Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Natyagruha, Vile Parle

- Mahakavi Kalidas Natyagruha, Mulund West

- Prabodhankar Keshav Sitaram Thackeray Natyagruha, Borivali West

"Senior officials from administrative departments and the election division were present during the sessions," the officials said.