Voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections continued steadily on Thursday, January 15, 2026, with voter turnout improving as the day progressed
The voting began at 7.30 am amid tight security arrangements across Mumbai. Pic/Satej Shinde
Mumbai on Thursday afternoon reported a voter turnout of 41.08 per cent by 3.30 pm as polling for BMC Election 2026 continued for 227 wards following an average start in the morning.
Voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections continued steadily on Thursday, January 15, 2026, with voter turnout improving as the day progressed.
The voting began at 7.30 am amid tight security arrangements across Mumbai.
According to BMC officials, around 29.96 per cent of eligible voters had cast their ballots by 1.30 pm.
Mumbai has over one crore registered voters.
Election authorities said public participation remained moderate during the morning hours.
Similarly, in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation general elections 2026, 29.48 per cent polling was recorded between 7.30 am and 1.30 pm.
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Higher turnout in select wards
Polling data released till 1.30 pm showed wide variation across wards. Ward No. 114 in the eastern suburbs recorded the highest turnout at 41.08 per cent, indicating strong voter participation in that area. In contrast, Ward No. 227 in south Mumbai reported the lowest turnout at 11.24 per cent during the first six hours of voting.
By 3.30 pm, overall voter turnout in parts of the city had crossed 41 per cent, according to election officials.
Prominent leaders cast votes
Several senior political leaders were seen at polling booths during the day. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, Union minister Piyush Goyal and former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik exercised their franchise and appealed to citizens to vote.
Celebrities join voting drive
Many Bollywood personalities also turned up to vote, including Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Gulzar, Salim Khan, Paresh Rawal, Hema Malini, John Abraham, Sonali Bendre, Isha Koppikar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Divya Dutta and singer Kailash Kher.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar voted along with his wife Anjali and daughter Sara. Former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar also cast her vote in her respective ward.
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Polling till 5.30 pm
Voting for the 227-member BMC, India’s largest and richest civic body, will continue until 5.30 pm. A total of around 1,700 candidates are contesting the elections. Officials said polling was largely peaceful and urged citizens to participate in large numbers during the remaining hours.
KDMC polls: Voter turnout crosses 40 pc by 3.30 pm
Polling for the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation Election 2026 continued smoothly on Thursday.
The officials reported that 40.07 per cent of eligible voters had cast their ballots between 7.30 am and 3.30 pm.
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