Long queues were seen at various polling booths, as the voting commenced at 7.30 am for the 227-ward Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
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More than 28,000 police personnel were deployed across Mumbai to maintain law and order as voting for the city's civic body polls got underway on Thursday, officials said.
Long queues were seen at various polling booths, as the voting commenced at 7.30 am for the 227-ward Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Police deployment at the polling centres had been done well in advance to ensure a safe and peaceful election process, an official said.
More than 25,000 constables, 3,000 officers, including 10 additional commissioners, 33 deputy commissioners and 84 assistant commissioners of police were posted at various polling centres and important places in the city, he said.
"I appeal to every Mumbaikar to step out of their homes and exercise their democratic right by voting in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections," Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti said on his X handle on Wednesday night.
The police have issued preventive orders, prohibiting the use of mobile phones at polling centres and banning posters, banners, and other election campaign materials of political parties.
Anyone who is not a candidate is not allowed to loiter or form an assembly within 100 meters of polling stations, the official said.
Strict action will be taken against those violating the election code of conduct, he added.
BMC elections 2026: 6.98 pc voter turnout till 9.30 am
Meanwhile, an average of 6.98 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on Thursday, officials said.
Polling began at 7.30 am amid tight security arrangements across Mumbai and will continue till 5.30 pm.
The average voter turnout stood at 6.98 per cent till 9.30 am, a BMC spokesperson said.
Data released by the civic body showed wide variations in voter participation across wards.
The highest turnout of 11.57 per cent was recorded in ward number 18 in the western suburbs, while the lowest turnout of 1.68 per cent was reported in ward number 162 in the eastern suburbs till 9.30 am.
Voting in 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra began on Thursday morning with spotlight on Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is locked in an intense battle with the reunited Thackeray cousins for control of India's largest and richest civic body.
Polling for 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards in these municipal corporations began amid tight security at 7.30 am and will conclude at 5.30 pm. A total of 3.48 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 15,931 candidates.
In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), whose annual budget is over Rs 74, 400 crore, 1,700 candidates are vying for 227 seats in elections being held after nine years, after a four-year delay. More than 25,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai to oversee elections. Except for Mumbai, the other urban bodies have multi-member wards. Vote count will take place on January 16.
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