Voting began on a brisk note in tight security in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/maharashtra-local-body-elections-firing-at-bjp-candidates-office-in-thane-security-guard-injured-23608130?button=next" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Ambernath municipal council</a> in Thane district on Saturday amid allegations of the distribution of money to voters and tampering with an EVM.
The run-up to the election was marred by firing at the office of a BJP candidate.
Polling has been going on smoothly, according to an official from the police control room.
Voting is underway to elect councillors and the president of the Ambernath municipal council.
The BJP and Shiv Sena, who are ruling allies, are pitted against each other.
An office-bearer of the BJP and Congress leaders alleged that the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bmc-elections-2025-record-number-of-women-have-sought-tickets-for-mumbai-polls-over-2700-aspirants-interviewed-for-227-city-wards-says-shiv-sena-23608360" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Shiv Sena</a> had lodged more than 200 women, who are not locals, in a marriage hall, possibly to use them for bogus voting, reported PTI.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ulhasnagar division) Sachin Gore said police had received a complaint and are verifying it, reported PTI.
He said 208 women, who are from outside Ambernath, were found inside the hall. The police and the election department personnel are verifying their credentials and IDs, he added, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party leaders alleged that some <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bmc-elections-2026-party-secretary-warns-against-turning-civic-body-polls-into-a-family-business-23608448" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">BJP activists</a> were distributing money, while the Shiv Sena has lodged a complaint alleging tampering of EVMs, reported PTI.
All efforts to gather details of the alleged incident from the police failed as the majority of the personnel are busy with the election bandobust duty and are not reachable, reported PTI.
<h2>Voting begins in 23 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra</h2>
Meanwhile, polling began for the posts of president and members in 23 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-local-body-elections-voting-begins-in-23-municipal-councils-and-nagar-panchayats-23608597" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Maharashtra</a>, as well as for 143 vacant member posts in these local bodies on Saturday morning.
Voting began at 7:30 AM and will continue till 5:30 PM.
Counting of votes for all municipal councils and nagar panchayats, including those which went to polls on December 2, will take place on December 21, the State Election Commission said in a statement.
In the first phase, votes were cast for 263 municipal councils and nagar panchayats.
Municipal presidents and members had been elected unopposed in many places.
Counting of votes at all concerned locations will begin at 10 am on December 21.
In some places, the ruling alliance partners, including the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, are contesting against each other.
The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bmc-elections-2026-faqs-on-the-upcoming-mumbai-and-maharashtra-civic-body-polls--23607945" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">poll battle</a> became multi-dimensional with the BJP-led Mahayuti and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) locking horns, interspersed by "friendly fights" among the alliances.
(With inputs from PTI)

Maharashtra local body elections: Voting began on a brisk note in tight security in Ambernath municipal council in Thane district on Saturday amid allegations

Maharashtra local body elections: Ambernath civic polls see BJP–Shiv Sena face-off within ruling alliance

Fire breaks out at electrical goods godown in Thane’s Bhiwandi

The run-up to the election was marred by firing at the office of a BJP candidate. Polling has been going on smoothly, according to an official from the police control room

Maharashtra local body elections: Voting underway in Ambernath municipal council amid Mahayuti power tussle

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