BMC elections 2026: Heavy security in Mumbai as 28,000 cops deployed

More than 28000 police personnel were deployed across Mumbai to maintain law and order as voting for the citys civic body polls got underway on Thursday officials saidLong queues were seen at various polling booths as the voting commenced at 730 am for the 227ward Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMCPolice deployment at the polling centres had been done well in advance to ensure a safe and peaceful election process an official saidMore than 25000 constables 3000 officers including 10 additional commissioners 33 deputy commissioners and 84 assistant commissioners of police were posted at various polling centres and important places in the city he saidI appeal to every Mumbaikar to step out of their homes and exercise their democratic right by voting in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti said on his X handle on Wednesday nightThe police have issued preventive orders prohibiting the use of mobile phones at polling centres and banning posters banners and other election campaign materials of political partiesAnyone who is not a candidate is not allowed to loiter or form an assembly within 100 meters of polling stations the official saidStrict action will be taken against those violating the election code of conduct he addedBMC elections 2026 698 pc voter turnout till 930 amMeanwhile an average of 698 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC elections on Thursday officials saidPolling began at 730 am amid tight security arrangements across Mumbai and will continue till 530 pmThe average voter turnout stood at 698 per cent till 930 am a BMC spokesperson saidData released by the civic body showed wide variations in voter participation across wardsThe highest turnout of 1157 per cent was recorded in ward number 18 in the western suburbs while the lowest turnout of 168 per cent was reported in ward number 162 in the eastern suburbs till 930 amVoting in 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra began on Thursday morning with spotlight on Mumbai where the BJPled Mahayuti alliance is locked in an intense battle with the reunited Thackeray cousins for control of Indias largest and richest civic bodyPolling for 2869 seats spread across 893 wards in these municipal corporations began amid tight security at 730 am and will conclude at 530 pm A total of 348 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 15931 candidatesIn the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC whose annual budget is over Rs 74 400 crore 1700 candidates are vying for 227 seats in elections being held after nine years after a fouryear delay More than 25000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai to oversee elections Except for Mumbai the other urban bodies have multimember wards Vote count will take place on January 16