Mumbai witnessed polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections today, with Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor among the early voters who actively promoted citizen participation in the democratic process. Kapoor lauded the BMC for its efficient arrangements and urged all eligible citizens to cast their votes.
After casting his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai, Kapoor addressed the media, emphasizing the importance of voting as a fundamental right and civic duty. He stated, "It's our job and duty as citizens to come out and vote". He also pointed out that instead of complaining about civic issues throughout the year, citizens should participate in the elections to bring about the desired change. "I believe that everyone living in India has a responsibility to vote, especially during elections".
Kapoor also expressed his gratitude towards the BMC for ensuring smooth facilities during the election and also during the Ganesh Utsav. "I would also like to thank the BMC. Year after year...be it Ganpati celebrations or elections, they always arrange good facilities". He appreciated the consistent efforts made by the BMC in providing good facilities for the public. Other celebrities, including Vicky Kaushal and Soha Ali Khan, were also spotted casting their votes in the Mumbai municipal elections.
The BMC elections saw approximately 50% voter turnout across Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra. Polling began at 7:30 am and concluded at 5:30 pm, with vote counting scheduled for January 16. According to the Maharashtra State Election Commission, a moderate turnout of 29.22 per cent was recorded across all 29 municipal corporations till 1:30 pm. By 11:30 am, the overall voter turnout across the state reached 17.41 per cent.
Across Maharashtra, around 3.48 crore voters were eligible to vote in the local body polls. A total of 15,908 candidates contested for 2,869 seats across 893 wards, with 39,092 polling centers set up to facilitate the voting process. The BMC election in Mumbai saw 1700 candidates contesting for 227 seats. Over 25000 police personnel were deployed to ensure smooth and peaceful polling. The voter turnout was slightly lower compared to the 2017 elections, which recorded an average of 55-56%.
The BMC elections are considered a crucial battle, with various political parties vying for control of India's richest civic body. The results of the election will determine the governance and development policies of Mumbai for the next five years.
