From missing names and shifted polling booths to families split across multiple wards, voters across Mumbai were left confused and frustrated on polling day, raising serious concerns over electoral roll accuracy in a civic election where razor-thin margins can decide winners and silence legitimate votes
Mansi Gupta, 27, a pharma company employee, seen arguing with poll officials at ward 63, booth 10, Jogeshwari West, after discovering that a vote had already been cast against her name. Gupta, who has been working in Gujarat for the past few months, returned with her PAN card after initially being turned away and was later issued a ballot paper, though she is uncertain about how the wrongly marked vote will be addressed. Pic/Satej Shinde
Voters across several parts of Mumbai reported difficulties in casting their ballots after discovering that their names were missing from electoral rolls or had been shifted to polling booths in neighbouring wards.
Voters check their names against lists at MHB Colony Marathi and Urdu School polling centre at Malwani, Malad West on Thursday. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
In several cases, members of the same family living at the same address were assigned to different wards, forcing them to travel to multiple booths. With civic polls often decided by razor-thin margins, such discrepancies in voter lists could significantly affect outcomes in closely contested wards.
Name missing and confusion in Aarey
Sajid Nandolia of Aarey Milk Colony, who had to visit multiple polling booths
In Aarey Milk Colony, Sajid Nandolia said he faced a similar issue. “When I went to vote at the polling station near Picnic Point, my name was missing. I later found my name in an adjoining ward where I had voted during the Assembly elections and managed to cast my vote there,” he said.
Family split in wards
At a polling booth in Millat Nagar, Ward 60, Andheri West, mid-day spoke to local resident Shafique Rangooni, who said three registered voters live in his household. “My son’s name appeared at the Millat Nagar polling booth in Ward 60, but my daughter Suheera and I were told to vote at a polling centre in Ward 61,” he said.
Another resident from the area, who requested anonymity, said several voters were redirected to neighbouring wards due to technical reasons. “What is the point of voting in another ward when you live elsewhere? In BMC elections, every single vote matters, and such errors can influence results,” the resident said.
Sajid Nandolia of Aarey Milk Colony, who had to visit multiple polling booths
A similar case was reported from Ward 68, where Laxman Sawant found his name missing from the ward’s voters’ list even though three members of his family were listed there. On verification, he learned that his name had been shifted to Ward 60, requiring him to travel there to cast his vote. Mangesh S, a Shiv Sena (UBT) worker from Ward 68, said, “Sawant and his family have voted in this ward in every election. This time, his vote was shifted elsewhere, resulting in the loss of one vote in our ward.”
Widespread confusion in Charkop, Malwani
Widespread confusion was also reported in Charkop and Malwani following ward restructuring, with entire families split across different wards despite residing under the same roof.
Vishnu Chauhan (right) with his father Ramdhavan, whose votes were listed in separate wards despite residing in same house. Pics/Samiullah Khan
In Charkop’s Bhabrekar Nagar, 26-year-old Vikas Gupta said his vote was shifted from Ward 19 to Ward 32. “Earlier, my entire family voted at the same polling centre. This time, my name appeared in Ward 32, while my mother’s name remained in Ward 19,” he said. While Gupta voted in the new ward, his mother had to travel to the earlier polling centre.
Gupta said several families faced similar problems, with voters moving from one polling centre to another for hours. He cited neighbours Vishnu Chauhan and Ramdhavan Chauhan, a father and son whose votes were split across two wards despite living together.
Vikas Gupta (left) with his friend Ashok Gupta. Gupta’s vote was shifted to a different ward while other family members remained in original ward
In another household, members of the Chaurasiya family were divided between Wards 19 and 32, with only the father’s name appearing in a different ward from the rest of the family.Gupta said the reshuffle left many voters confused. “Earlier, I knew the candidates in my ward. This time, I voted in a ward where I didn’t even know who was contesting. I ended up voting based on the party symbol,” he said.
Borivli residents name missing
The names of 28 residents of Borivli’s Abhinandan society were found missing on the voters’ list. The society members visited all booths in the locality but were unable to cast their votes because none of their names featured on any list. Society members told mid-day that they had voted in the last two elections, but their names were surprisingly missing in this election.
Some of the 28 residents of Abhinandan Society in Borivli who were unable to cast their votes after their names were found missing from the electoral rolls. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Secretary of the society, Manoj Mane, said, “The names of 28 people from our society are missing from the lists. We can’t do anything now because the election is over. But we request the government to put our names back on the list. Voting is our right.” “We are not against the government, but we should be able to vote properly in the next election,” Mane said.
Ink concerns
Several voters also raised concerns over the quality of the indelible ink applied during voting, claiming it began fading within hours. Videos showing ink coming off easily were widely circulated on social media, with users questioning its effectiveness and quality.
Couple get split up
Murari Amarnath Singh and his wife Sugandha, whose votes were assigned to different wards despite living at the same address
In Malwani, senior journalist Murari Amarnath Singh said even couples were affected. “My area falls under Ward 33. But on polling day, I was told my name was in Ward 34, while my wife’s vote was listed in Ward 32,” he said.
Voter slips of Murari Amarnath Singh and his wife Sugandha showing different polling booths after ward restructuring. Pics/Samiullah Khan
Polling problems galore in city
Dysfunctional toilets: A temporary movable toilet block had been arranged at the Shailendra Nagar Dahisar polling centre. However, the toilets lacked inside latches, and no water containers had been placed for use within, rendering them useless. In another centre, in the nearby Ambawadi, four toilets were also unusable, with one being used to store items.
No marking outside polling booths: Unlike the earlier state legislature or parliamentary elections, there were no 100-metre perimeter markings outside election booths, confusing citizens, police personnel and election officials.
The movable toilet block in Shailendra Nagar, Dahisar, which was essentially unusable. Pic/Samiullah Khan
No voter slips: Several electors complained that voter slips weren’t distributed, leading to confusion as to where to vote till the last minute. Many ended up checking websites, but the data did not match the lists with the electoral officials.
One of the toilets at the Ambawadi centre
No recognition of digital ID cards: Many complained that they had to return as the digital ID and photos of Aadhaar cards on mobile phones were not considered valid, and voters were asked to come back with physical hard copies, leading to arguments at polling booths.
Where to check for your name before next election
Lok Sabha poll: https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/
Assembly and civic poll: https://mahasecvoterlist.in/
Text: Samiullah Khan and Ritika Gondhalekar
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