
As Maharashtra prepares for a significant democratic exercise, the State Election Commission (SEC) and local authorities have issued a final call to citizens, urging them to verify their electoral registration ahead of Thursday’s municipal corporation elections.
The single-phase polling across 29 civic bodies, including the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, with results expected the following day.
The spotlight is firmly on the BMC, India’s largest and richest municipal corporation, which has been administered by a state-appointed official for an extended period. The election marks a pivotal return to elected governance for the city, with 227 ward seats up for grabs. Statewide, the electoral roll encompasses over one crore voters.
The candidate field, however, shows a notable contraction. According to reports, approximately 1,700 aspirants are in the fray for BMC seats, representing a 25.27% decline from the 2,275 candidates who contested the last civic polls in February 2017.
The current cohort comprises 879 women and 821 men. In 2017, the contest included 1,190 men, 1,084 women and one transgender candidate.
Essential verification steps
Election officials stress that only those listed on the final electoral roll will be permitted to vote. To facilitate verification, the SEC has established dedicated digital portals. Voters are advised to follow a clear process to confirm their eligibility and polling details.
The primary method is to visit the SEC’s voter search portal at mahasecvoterlist.in, also accessible via the ‘Election’ section of the BMC’s official website, mcgm.gov.in.
Individuals can search using their full name alongside their Assembly Constituency or more directly with their Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number. When searching by name, selecting the correct district — Mumbai City or Mumbai Suburban — and providing a father’s or spouse’s name can help refine results.
Upon a successful search, the portal displays critical information: the voter’s serial number, assigned ward number and precise polling station location, including room and building details.
The SEC recommends taking a screenshot or printout of this voter slip to expedite proceedings at the polling booth, though it cautions that the slip is not valid as standalone identity proof.
As a secondary check, voters may also use the Election Commission of India’s portal at voters.eci.gov.in or its Voter Helpline App, available via eci.gov.in/voter-helpline-app/.
Final preparations for polling day
Once registration is confirmed, voters must remember to carry an original, valid photo identity document to the polling station. Acceptable forms of ID include passports, Aadhaar cards and PAN cards.
For those encountering discrepancies or unable to locate their names, assistance is available through designated helplines: the central helpline at 1916, or the BMC Election Cell at 022-22754028 or 9619512847.
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