Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Maharashtra Civic Polls: High-Stakes BMC Elections
In Maharashtra, India, the State Election Commission has allowed candidates in the upcoming civic polls to visit voters' homes and talk to them after the official campaigning period ends.
However, they can't use microphones or have more than five people with them.
This decision has been criticized by opposition parties, including Raj Thackeray, who say it weakens the rules set by the election authority.
The elections for 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, will be held on Thursday.
The Commission has also reminded everyone that using electronic media like SMS for campaigning is not allowed after the public campaign period.
Over 3.48 crore voters will decide the fate of 15,931 candidates.
More than 25,000 police personnel will be deployed to oversee the elections and vote counting.
In Mumbai, 1,700 candidates are vying for 227 seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
The BMC is India’s richest municipal body, and control over it carries enormous political and administrative influence.
The elections are seen as a high-stakes political battle, with parties focusing on Marathi identity and Hindutva.
The State Election Commission has introduced new PADU machines as a backup for EVMs, which has been criticized by opposition parties.
The counting of votes will be done in stages, with results expected on Friday.
Maharashtra State Election Commission allows limited personal campaigning after the public campaign deadline, with restrictions on microphones and group size.
Elections for 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, will be held on Thursday, January 15, with over 3.48 crore voters and 15,931 candidates.
Opposition parties, including Raj Thackeray, criticize the decision, alleging it weakens election authority restrictions and favors the ruling party.
In Mumbai, 1,700 candidates are contesting for 227 seats in the BMC elections, with over 1.03 crore voters and 10,231 polling stations.
The BMC elections are seen as a high-stakes political battle, with parties focusing on Marathi identity and Hindutva, and the outcome determining political relevance and future survival in Mumbai.
- Who
- Maharashtra State Election Commission, Opposition parties, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, BJP, Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, NCP (SP), Congress, VBA
- What
- Decision to allow limited personal campaigning after deadline, Elections for 29 municipal corporations, BMC elections, Introduction of PADU machines, Political campaigns focusing on Marathi identity and Hindutva
- When
- Public campaigning ended on Tuesday evening, Elections on Thursday, January 15, Vote counting on January 16
- Where
- Maharashtra, India, including Mumbai
- Why
- SEC's decision based on a 2012 order, Opposition parties criticize the decision, High-stakes civic polls, Political relevance, identity, and future survival in Mumbai, Control over India’s richest municipal body, Consolidation of Hindu and Marathi votes
- Election Date
- Thursday, January 15
- Number of Municipal Corporations
- 29
- Campaign Restrictions
- No microphones, no groups larger than five
- Prohibition on Electronic Media
- Yes, after public campaign period
- Opposition Criticism
- Decision weakens election authority restrictions
- Voters Eligible
- 3.48 crore
- Candidates
- 15,931
- Security Personnel Deployed
- More than 25,000
- Polling Stations
- 10,231
- Election Staff Deployed
- 64,375
- BMC Seats
- 227
- Candidates for BMC
- 1,700
- Voters for BMC
- 1.03 crore
- Counting Date
- Friday, January 16
- Counting Centres
- 23
- PADU Machines Deployed
- 140
Sources
Maharashtra civic polls: Personal campaign allowed after deadline
SEC allowed post-campaign canvassing at govt’s behest: Raj Thackeray
Maharashtra To Vote For High-Stakes Civic Polls Tomorrow
Raj Thackeray, Sanjay Raut accuses Maha Election Commission for facilitating cash distribution
Maharashtra civic polls: Campaigning extended up to polling day, SEC unveils new vote display machine
SEC allowed post-campaign canvassing at govt’s behest, alleges Raj Thackeray
MNS, Sena UBT raise objections over PADU machine in polling booths
Mumbai votes today, 1,700 in race for 227 BMC seats
BMC elections: After four-year gap, Mumbai votes today to elect new corporators
