Former councillor and Mumbai Congress Vice President Asif Zakaria also noted that these failures contributed to confusion and frustration among citizens and suggested they were a key reason for the low voter turnout in Mumbai
Congress leader Asif Zakaria criticised the BMC for failure in providing the facilities. Pic/X
Mumbai Congress leader Asif Zakaria on Thursday alleged that several citizens were frustrated due to no Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines and home voting arrangements for octogenarians in the BMC Election 2026 held on Thursday.
Zakaria further claimed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections were allegedly marred by multiple technical and administrative problems.
In a post on X, the former Bandra councillor and Mumbai Congress Vice President, Asif Zakaria, criticised the BMC, describing it as “the world’s richest corporation with an annual budget of Rs. 75,000 crore,” and expressed concern over its failure to ensure basic election facilities.
What Zakaria highlighted
- No voting arrangements for 85+ senior citizens, denying them the right to vote.
- Non-use of VVPAT machines, which are designed to verify votes.
- Broken and illogical electoral parts at certain polling stations.
- Matadhikaar voter search apps reportedly non-functional throughout the day.
World's richest Corporation with an annual Rs. 75,000 crore budget of @mybmc, Elections being held 4 years late,
— Asif Zakaria (@Asif_Zakaria) January 15, 2026
Still @mybmc couldn't get its act together...
No 85+ senior citizen home voting thereby denying them the right to vote, no VVPAT machines used, illogical and wrongful…
Confusion and frustration among citizens: Zakaria
Zakaria also noted that these failures contributed to confusion and frustration among citizens and suggested they were a key reason for the low voter turnout in Mumbai.
The issues have drawn attention from the Election Commission of India’s SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) programme, which aims to ensure smooth and accessible voting, he wrote on X.
The post was also shared by Mumbai Congress chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad.
Congress alleges BJP's misuse of power in BMC Polls
Meanwhile, Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad accused the ruling BJP-led alliance of widespread misuse of money and power during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, but expressed confidence that Congress would emerge victorious.
Speaking after casting her vote in Dharavi, Gaikwad alleged that cash and goods, including mixer grinders, were distributed openly by the Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, while Congress workers were targeted.
Ink on voters’ fingers being erased
Gaikwad criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for alleged mismanagement, pointing to unresolved discrepancies in electoral rolls, lack of information about new printing and auxiliary display machines, and reports of ink on voters’ fingers being erased.
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