BMC Elections 2026: Ward-Wise List of Candidates, Polling & Result Dates

Mumbai, Janaury 8: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing for one of its most consequential electoral battles in decades, with polling for the 227-member body scheduled for January 15, 2026. The BMC elections are being held after a significant delay of nearly four years, primarily due to legal battles over ward delimitation and OBC reservations. Since the previous term ended in early 2022, the BMC has been under the administration of a state-appointed commissioner. From BMC election 2026 schedule to ward-wise list of candidates and alliance details, here's all you need to know.

BMC Elections 2026 Schedule: Polling Day, Result Date

The official notification for the BMC elections issued on December 15, 2025. The nomination window opened on December 23 and concluded on December 30, 2025, followed by the scrutiny of papers on December 31. After the deadline for the withdrawal of candidatures passed on January 2, 2026, the final list of contesting candidates was published on January 3.

Polling will be held in all 227 wards on January 15, with the counting of votes and declaration of results scheduled for January 16. Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections 2026.

Single-Memeber Ward System in BMC

For the 2026 BMC elections, the State Election Commission (SEC) is following the single-member ward system. This distinguishes Mumbai from many other municipal corporations in Maharashtra, which have recently transitioned to a multi-member "panel" system.

Here are the specific details of how the voting and ward structure will work:

The Single-Member Ward System

Unlike cities like Pune or Nashik, where voters may cast multiple votes for a "panel" of candidates in a single large ward, Mumbai’s voters will cast only one vote for one candidate in their respective electoral ward.

• Structure: The city is divided into 227 individual electoral wards.
• Representation: Each ward will elect exactly one corporator to represent them in the BMC.
• Voter Experience: On polling day, your Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) will display the list of candidates specifically for your local ward. You will select one preferred candidate.

Key Technical Details

• Ward Size: Following the recent delimitation, each of the 227 wards has been designed to represent approximately 54,000 residents.
• Administrative Oversight: These 227 electoral wards are grouped into 24 administrative wards (A to T wards) for city management, but for the election itself, the 227 small wards are the primary units.
• Reservations: Out of the 227 seats, 127 seats are reserved for women (approximately 50%), which includes reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) within that quota.

Why Not the Panel System?

While the Maharashtra government implemented a three-member or four-member panel system for other major civic bodies to streamline administration, the BMC has traditionally maintained the single-member ward system to ensure more direct accountability between a corporator and a specific, smaller neighborhood.

Alliances and Political Realignment in BMC Elections 2026

The 2026 election features a complex web of shifting alliances. The ruling Mahayuti coalition sees the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena contesting as a primary bloc, with the BJP fielding candidates in 137 seats and the Shinde-led Sena in 90. Interestingly, their state-level ally, the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), has opted to contest independently in 94 seats, setting up "friendly fights" in nearly 100 wards.

On the opposition side, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) faces its own internal dynamics. While the Congress and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) have formed a pact, the Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, has entered into a significant partnership with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). This marks a historic "reunion" of the Thackeray brothers, who are campaigning heavily on the platform of "Marathi pride" to consolidate the local vote. Sharad Pawar's NCP has declared candidates in just 11 wards. NCP Manifesto for Mumbai BMC Elections 2026: Party Promises Waiver of Property Tax for Houses Up to 700 Sq Ft, Health Cards for Municipal School Students.

New Rules for Candidates

In a move toward greater transparency, the State Election Commission (SEC) introduced a unique requirement for this election: all 2,516 candidates were required to submit an essay alongside their nomination papers. These essays, ranging from 100 to 500 words, must outline the candidate's specific development vision for their local ward. Failure to provide this vision document led to the rejection of several nomination forms during the scrutiny phase in late December.

BMC Elections 2026: Ward-Wise Full List of Candidates

The BMC Elections 2026 feature a mix of seasoned veterans, family legacies, and fresh faces across Mumbai's 227 wards. With the final list of candidates published on January 3, the campaign has intensified as parties move toward the January 15 poll. Click here to access the full list of candidates.

What Parties Are Promosing

Mahayuti (BJP & Shiv Sena - Shinde)

The ruling coalition has leaned heavily on "transparency" and large-scale infrastructure, framing their campaign as a move to clean up BMC’s administration.

• Transparent Governance: A commitment to appoint an Upa Lokayukta specifically for Mumbai to oversee BMC officials. All elected corporators and contractors must declare their assets annually.
• Infrastructure: A promise to make Mumbai pothole-free within five years through 100% concretization of roads.
• Healthcare & Social Safety: Free medical insurance cover worth INR 5 lakh per family. Additionally, they have promised INR 5,000 for every girl child born in a BMC hospital under the "Beti Bachao" scheme.
• Urban Renewal: Developing a "second BKC" hub between Parel and Matunga to boost corporate employment and finance.

Thackeray Alliance (Shiv Sena UBT & MNS)

The joint manifesto released by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, titled the "Vachan Nama," focuses on populist measures and "Marathi Pride."

• Cash Assistance: A monthly allowance of INR 1,500 for domestic helpers and women from the Koli community under the "Swabhiman Nidhi."
• Energy & Living Costs: 100 units of free electricity for residential users and a reduction of the minimum BEST bus fare to INR 5.
• Housing: A pledge to build one lakh affordable homes for "Mumbaikars" (specifically mill workers, BEST staff, and local Marathi families) and a property tax waiver for homes up to 700 sq. ft.
• Food Security: Establishing "Masaheb Kitchens" to provide breakfast and lunch for INR 10.

Mumbai Vikas Aghadi (Congress & Allies)

The Congress-led "Mumbai Vikas Aghadi" (distinct from the state-level MVA) has released a 10-page "Mission Mumbai 2026" document.

• Health: Introduction of Universal Health Cards for free essential medicines and a strict pledge against the privatization of BMC hospitals. They aim to convert Seven Hills Hospital into a premier critical care center.
• Water Security: Guaranteeing 20% free water supply for all residents and increasing the daily city supply to 5,000 MLD by prioritizing the Gargai dam.
• Environment: Launching "Green Mumbai 2030" featuring real-time air quality monitoring and strict dust control at construction sites.
• Education: Reopening closed municipal schools and providing 32 free educational items to BMC students.

NCP - (Ajit Pawar)

Contesting independently, the NCP's manifesto focuses on technology and sustainable development.

• Smart Mobility: Implementation of an AI-powered "Smart Traffic Signal" system and 500 km of new road construction.
• Environmental Initiatives: A "Zero Waste" policy with a "Waste Credit Certificate System" to reward citizens for segregating trash.
• Public Services: Full fare concessions for persons with disabilities (Divyang) in the Mumbai Metro and the creation of "Arogya Kalyan Kendras" for 24/7 tele-consultation.

The state government has declared a public holiday in Mumbai to facilitate voter turnout for the first civic general election since 2017. With a massive annual budget exceeding INR 74,000 crore, the results are poised to redefine the political landscape of India’s financial capital.

2017 BMC Election Results

In the 2017 BMC elections, the Shiv Sena (undivided) emerged as the single largest party with 84 seats, closely followed by the BJP, which made significant gains to secure 82 seats. The Congress faced a setback, finishing a distant third with 31 seats, while the undivided NCP and the MNS were reduced to 9 and 7 seats, respectively. Other winners included the Samajwadi Party with 6 seats, the AIMIM with 2, and the Akhil Bharatiya Sena with 1, alongside 5 independent candidates, completing the 227-member house.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2026 12:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).