Overview
- Polling across 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai’s BMC, concluded on January 15 with counting to start at 10 a.m. on January 16 under phased procedures that opposition parties have criticized.
- Multiple exit polls project a clear lead for the BJP–Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) alliance in the BMC, with the Uddhav Thackeray–MNS front expected to trail.
- Mumbai’s turnout was reported around 53% (Hindustan Times: 52.90%; Mid-day: 53–55%) with final figures to be released by the State Election Commission.
- The SEC ordered an inquiry into videos purporting to show the finger mark being wiped off, stressed that marker pens have been used in local polls since 2011, and warned that removing the mark is an offense.
- Reports from several cities cited cash-for-votes allegations, suspected bogus voters, voter-list mismatches, EVM glitches, and sporadic violence, as the Bombay High Court declined to intervene over alleged coercive candidate withdrawals once polling had begun.