The State Election Commission (SEC) has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on January 15, 2026. Polling will be held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and counting of votes will take place on January 16, 2026. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force on December 15, 2025, across all municipal corporation areas.
Political parties have already begun preparations, with criticism, praise, and rivalry heating up ahead of the elections. Below are answers to frequently asked questions:
● What is the BMC election?
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election selects members to govern Greater Mumbai, India’s largest city.
● When is the BMC election?
Polling: January 15, 2026 (7:30 am – 5:30 pm)
Counting: January 16, 2026
● Who is eligible to vote and how to register?
Eligible voters must be Indian citizens, at least 18 years old, and ordinary residents of the concerned area. Only names on the Voter List (Electoral Roll) are eligible to vote. Voters can find details on polling booths, candidates, election dates, and EVM procedures.
● How to check voter registration status?
Check your name on the Electoral Roll at: https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in
● How many corporations will be contested?
Elections will be held for 29 municipal corporations.
● How do I use an EVM?
EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) will be used. [Click here for a guide on using EVM/VVPAT.]
● What identification should I carry?
Accepted photo IDs include: EPIC (Voter ID), Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Government Service ID, Bank/Post Office Passbook with photo, MNREGA Job Card, Health Insurance Smart Card, Pension document with photo, or official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs. Photo voter slips alone are not valid.
● What is the voting process?
Elections are conducted by a hierarchy of officials, including:
Election Officer and Returning Officer
Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Polling Officers
Supporting staff: Assistant Election Officers, Election Supervisors, Inspectors, Clerks
Duties include finalising ward boundaries based on census data, publishing authenticated ward-wise electoral rolls, and overseeing the election process from polling to result declaration.
● Which parties are contesting the BMC elections 2026?
The elections are expected to be a contest between:
Mahayuti (ruling alliance): BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), Ajit Pawar-led NCP
Maha Vikas Aghadi (opposition): Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Sharad Pawar-led NCP–SP
● What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)?
The MCC is a set of guidelines by the Election Commission to regulate party and candidate conduct during elections. It came into effect with the election announcement. No policy decisions can be made in these areas during this period, except for natural disasters or emergency relief.
