Early BMC exit polls show the BJP-led Mahayuti ahead, but the reunited Thackeray brothers’ alliance remains a strong contender. Mumbai waits for the final 2026 results.
Mumbai: Voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election ended a short while ago, and early exit poll figures are now coming in. This is the first full BMC election in nearly nine years, and the early numbers suggest a close and important contest.
Most exit polls show the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance—which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and smaller allies—leading the race. Several agencies project the alliance crossing the majority mark of 114 seats in the 227-member BMC.
The BMC, which is India’s richest civic body with a budget larger than that of several states, remains highly contested. However, at this stage, the early momentum appears to be with Mahayuti.
Exit Poll Snapshot (Initial Estimates)
Based on exit polls released soon after voting ended:
• Mahayuti (BJP + Shinde Sena + allies): Most projections place the alliance between 120 and 140 seats
(The BJP contested 137 seats and the Shinde Sena 90. The alliance appears to have performed well in the suburban and western areas.)
• Thackeray alliance (Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena-UBT + Raj Thackeray’s MNS): Estimated 80 to 100 seats
(Shiv Sena-UBT contested 163 wards and MNS 52. The alliance showed strength in traditional Shiv Sena areas, though vote division seems to have affected results.)
• Congress + Prakash Ambedkar’s VBA: Estimated 30 to 50 seats
(Congress contested 143 seats and VBA around 46. They remained influential in certain areas but did not emerge as leading contenders.)
• Independents and smaller parties: Around 10 to 20 seats
It is important to note that these figures are exit poll estimates, not final results. The actual vote counting will take place on January 16, and results may change, especially in Mumbai’s multi-cornered ward contests.
Voter Turnout
According to the State Election Commission, voter turnout stood at 41.08% by 3:30 PM.
• Bhandup (Ward 114) recorded the highest turnout at 53.34%
• Colaba (Ward 227) recorded the lowest turnout at 15.73%
The final turnout figure is expected to increase slightly once all data is compiled.
Issues Reported During Polling
SSome videos circulated on social media, showing voters removing indelible ink using sanitizer or acetone. The State Election Commission clarified that officials had used marker-based ink and said that many of these claims misled the public or were incorrect.
Officials quickly fixed a few Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) problems, including some in Pune.
Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna, Hema Malini, Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, and Nitin Gadkari cast their ballots today. Observers saw their presence as an effort to encourage higher voter turnout.
Security Arrangements
Mumbai was under strict security. There were around 28,000 police officers on duty. Barricades, traffic diversions, support desks for senior residents, and pink cubicles for women were among the special amenities installed. Throughout the day, the city was under strict electoral security.
Key Campaign Themes
• Mahayuti: Focus on faster road repairs, affordable or free bus travel for women, a “Hindu-Marathi” mayor narrative, and strong messaging on illegal infiltration.
• Thackeray alliance: Emphasis on Marathi pride, reclaiming the Shiv Sena legacy, reducing pollution, and fighting corruption.
• Congress and VBA: Focus on social justice, slum redevelopment, and criticism of administrator-led governance since 2022.
The Significance of the BMC Election
The BJP won 82 seats and the united Shiv Sena won 84 in the most recent BMC election, which took place in 2017. Due to numerous election delays, the civic body has been administered by an administrator since March 2022.
For the next five years, Mumbai’s infrastructure, services, and governance will be shaped by the winning party or coalition, which will also control one of the biggest municipal budgets in the nation.
On January 16, vote counting will start at 8:00 AM. Mahayuti tends to be stronger in suburban regions, where early trends are anticipated. The ultimate result should be evident by late tonight.
As the counting continues and ward-by-ward results become available, updates will be provided.