Mumbai, January 15, 2026 — Voting is currently underway across Maharashtra for civic body elections in 29 municipal corporations, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with multiple controversies emerging throughout the day.
Voting Progress and Turnout
As of 1:30 PM, the BMC recorded a voter turnout of 29.96 percent, with approximately 1.03 crore citizens eligible to vote across 227 wards in Mumbai. The polling, which began at 7:30 AM, will continue until 5:30 PM, with results scheduled to be announced on January 16.
Indelible Ink Controversy
A major controversy has erupted over claims that the "indelible ink" used to mark voters is being easily wiped off. Videos circulated on social media showing voters, politicians, and media personnel using acetone and hand sanitizers to remove the ink marks.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray raised serious concerns, questioning how the ink could be erased and demanding the suspension of State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare, whom he accused of openly siding with the ruling Mahayuti alliance. MNS chief Raj Thackeray alleged that people could vote twice due to the removable ink and called for vigilance from party workers.
The BMC rejected these claims in an official statement, calling media reports "factually incorrect" and stating that proper procedures were being followed. The State Election Commission warned that attempting to erase ink and vote again constitutes malpractice, with appropriate legal action to be taken against violators. Officials emphasized that safeguards prevent duplicate voting regardless of ink removal.
Voter List and Technical Issues
Several prominent figures faced problems with voter lists. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi discovered her name was missing from the list at her usual polling station and had to be redirected to another location. She urged all Mumbai voters to verify their polling booth details before voting.
In a disturbing incident, Aarif Mohammed from Mumbra found that a vote had already been cast in his name despite him not having voted. He protested with all necessary identification documents, halting voting at the booth for 15-20 minutes. Booth officials claimed the error occurred due to similarity in names.
Political Stakes and Violence
These elections carry significant weight for the Thackeray brothers following the Shiv Sena's split in 2022. The undivided Shiv Sena previously dominated the BMC, winning 84 seats alongside the BJP's 82 in the last elections.
In Nagpur, violence marred the polling when BJP candidate Bhushan Shingne was allegedly attacked by over 100 people after investigating reports of money distribution. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari condemned the incident, calling it an attempt on Shingne's life and demanding strict police action.
Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan expressed confidence that all 29 municipalities would elect Mahayuti mayors, citing the coalition's development agenda under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Disruptions and Protests
A brawl broke out in Ghatkopar over ink quality concerns, temporarily halting voting at one booth and disrupting others. Congress MP Praniti Shinde accused the BJP of "dirty politics" and misusing power, alleging the party was distributing money and engaging in foul tactics.
Notable Voters
Several prominent personalities cast their votes, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde in Thane, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Shraddha Kapoor in Mumbai. A 100-year-old voter, Magan Lal Doshi, emphasized that "voting is our birthright" regardless of age.
Election Background
These BMC elections are being held after nearly a three-year delay. The nomination process began on December 23, 2025, with the final candidate list published on January 3, 2026. Approximately 1,700 candidates are contesting across Mumbai's 227 wards.
The elections represent a crucial test for all major political formations in Maharashtra, with results expected to reshape the state's political landscape when counting begins on January 16.
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