Mumbai heads to BMC polls with 1,700 candidates. Citizens’ votes will decide roads, sanitation, transport, and local services. A majority of 114 seats is needed to elect the Mayor
Mumbai heads to polls; 1,700 candidates contest BMC elections.
Mumbai is all set to vote! The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, along with elections for 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra, will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Counting of votes will happen the next day, Friday, January 16, from 10 am.
What’s happening in the BMC Election 2026?
Mumbai is divided into 24 administrative wards, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) overseeing civic services like sewerage, public health, waste management, and other local issues in these wards, labelled A to T.
Each administrative ward is further split into smaller electoral wards, for which corporators are elected. There are 227 electoral wards in total. Of these, 113 are under the General Category, while 114 are reserved for women, including women from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
BMC elections are held every five years to elect corporators, who then represent their wards in the BMC. The last civic polls were in February 2017, and the five-year term ended on March 7, 2022. Since then, the BMC has been administered by a government-appointed administrator, the municipal commissioner.
This year, 1,700 candidates are contesting the election, 879 women and 821 men. To form a majority and elect the Mayor of Mumbai, a party or alliance needs at least 114 seats.
How to vote in person
The first polling official will verify your name on the voter list and check your ID proof.
The second official will apply indelible ink on your finger, hand you a slip, and take your signature in the voter register (Form 17A).
Submit the slip to the third polling official, show your inked finger, and proceed to the polling booth.
Press the button next to the symbol of your chosen candidate on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
Check the VVPAT slip that shows the candidate’s serial number, name, and symbol for 7 seconds before it drops into the sealed box.
Don’t want to vote for anyone? Press NOTA (None of the Above).
How many seats needed to win
Total seats: 227
Seats needed to win (simple majority): 114
Important rules at polling stations
No mobile phones, cameras, or electronic gadgets allowed inside the booth.
You can watch official EVM-VVPAT demo videos to understand how to vote correctly.
Parties and their symbols
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – 🪷 Lotus
Indian National Congress (INC) – ✋ Hand
Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) – 🏹 Bow and Arrow
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) – 🔥 Flaming Torch (Mashal)
Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) – ⏰ Clock
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) – 🎺 Man Blowing Trumpet
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) – 🚆 Railway Engine
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) – 🛢️ Gas Cylinder
Independent Candidates – Various symbols allotted individually
Main parties / Alliances contesting in BMC Elections 2026
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – Contesting the majority of seats as part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Mumbai.
Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde-led) – Allied with BJP under the Mahayuti banner, contesting a significant number of wards.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) – Contesting independently (though discussions with Mahayuti were ongoing).
Indian National Congress (INC) – Contesting on its own strength and not in alliance with the other major formations.
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) – Announced readiness to contest a large number of seats (up to around 200).
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) – Fielding candidates and active in campaign mobilization.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) – Contesting as part of coordination with Uddhav Sena in some areas / independent candidates.
Other candidates
Independent candidates — Contesting across multiple wards outside major party tickets as usual in civic polls.
Smaller regional parties / local fronts — Some may field candidates in individual wards (coverage varies by region and candidate filing outcomes).
Must-have details about the BMC Election 2026
Date of polling: January 15
Polling day timing: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Who can vote: Registered voters
How to check voter details: Electoral roll/voter slip/official website or helpline
What to carry: Valid voter ID (EPIC) or approved alternative IDs
Code of conduct reminder: No phones, cameras, or campaigning near booths
Tips for first-time voters
Check your voter ID and the polling booth beforehand.
Plan your timing to avoid the rush.
Your vote decides the future of Mumbai’s roads, water, transport, sanitation, and local services. Even one vote matters, show up, press the button, and make your voice heard!
Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here | Your ward info here
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