Maharashtra Civic Polls: BMC Results Counting Begins
Counting of votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election 2026 began on Friday morning after polling was completed across Maharashtra’s 29 civic bodies, including Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nagpur. Officials said the process is being carried out in designated centres under tight security.
Turnout And Process
Early figures indicate about 46–50% voter turnout in the civic elections held on Thursday. Counting is being done in batches across 23 centres in Mumbai for the 227-ward BMC, which had over 1,700 candidates contesting. Mumbai recorded roughly 50% turnout, although final official data is awaited.
Exit Poll Predictions
Exit polls had projected a strong performance for the BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) alliance, suggesting it could secure a majority in the BMC. They also indicated a setback for the Uddhav Thackeray–Raj Thackeray alliance, while Congress and other parties were expected to trail.
What’s Next
Authorities said results could be delayed due to phased counting. Final outcomes will determine control of the richest civic body in India and set the tone for local governance in major Maharashtra cities.
