Archive · 16 Jan 2026
Mumbai Holds BMC Elections After 4-Year Delay
Mumbai finally held its city council elections after a long delay of four years.
The elections were postponed because of legal issues, political disagreements, and problems with how seats were reserved for certain groups.
On January 15, 2026, people voted for their representatives in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other city councils.
The voting started at 7:30 AM and ended at 5:30 PM.
The counting of votes will begin at 10 AM on January 16, 2026.
The BMC is very important because it manages big projects and services in Mumbai.
The elections were a big deal because the city had been run by administrators instead of elected leaders for a long time.
Mumbai held BMC elections on January 15, 2026, after a 4-year delay due to legal and political issues.
Voter turnout was 6.98% in the first two hours, with wide variations across wards.
The elections were postponed due to disputes over OBC reservations, ward boundaries, and political realignments.
The BMC is Asia's richest civic body with an annual budget of over Rs 74,400 crore.
Counting of votes will begin at 10 AM on January 16, 2026, with results expected later than usual.
- Who
- Voters in Mumbai and Maharashtra
- What
- BMC and other municipal corporation elections
- When
- January 15, 2026 (polling), January 16, 2026 (counting)
- Where
- Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, India
- Why
- To elect representatives for civic bodies after a 4-year delay
- Voter Turnout
- 6.98% in first two hours
- Highest Turnout Ward
- Ward 18 (11.57%)
- Lowest Turnout Ward
- Ward 162 (1.68%)
- Total Seats
- 227
- Total Candidates
- 1,700
- Polling Hours
- 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Counting Starts
- 10 AM, January 16, 2026
- BMC Budget
- Over Rs 74,400 crore annually
Sources
Explained: The 3 Big Reasons Mumbai Went Without An Elected BMC For Years
BMC polls counting to begin at 10am tomorrow
BMC election: Voting underway in 227 seats across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, BJP-led Mahayuti takes on the Thackerays
BMC Elections 2026: Why Were Polls To Asia's Richest Civic Body Delayed Since 2022? Explained
Mumbai civic poll records mere 6.98% voter turnout till 9:30 am
