Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections 2026

Mumbai, January 5: The State Election Commission (SEC) has officially set the stage for one of Maharashtra's most significant political showdowns, with elections for 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), scheduled for January 15, 2026. The polls come after a prolonged wait of nearly four years, during which India’s richest civic bodies were managed by state-appointed administrators. With the counting of votes slated for January 16, the results will serve as a crucial barometer for the state's shifting political alliances.

Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Election 2026 Schedule: Voting Date, Result Date

The election cycle is currently in its final stretch. Following the SEC’s formal notification on December 15, 2025, the nomination process concluded at the end of December. According to the SEC timeline:

• January 2, 2026: Deadline for withdrawal of candidatures.
• January 3, 2026: Allotment of election symbols and publication of the final candidate list.
• January 15, 2026 (Polling Day): Voting will take place from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
• January 16, 2026 (Result Day): Counting of votes begins at 10:00 AM, with results expected by evening.

The state government has declared January 15 a public holiday in all polling regions to encourage voter turnout, particularly in urban centers where participation has historically been low. 2026 Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Election Results: Unopposed vs NOTA Rule.

2026 Maharashtra Municipal Election: By the Numbers

The upcoming polls on January 15 represent one of the largest local government exercises in India, involving nearly 3.48 crore eligible voters across the state.

Municipal Corporations Going to the Polls

A total of 29 municipal corporations are participating in this massive exercise. While the BMC remains the primary focus, several other major urban hubs are also electing new councils. The list includes:

• Konkan Division: Mumbai (BMC), Thane (TMC), Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli (KDMC), Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Mira-Bhayander and Panvel.
• Western Maharashtra: Pune (PMC), Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad and Kolhapur.
• North Maharashtra: Nashik (NMC), Malegaon, Jalgaon, Dhule and Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar).
• Vidarbha & Marathwada: Nagpur, Akola, Amravati, Chandrapur, Latur, Nanded-Waghala, Parbhani and Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar).

The Battle of Alliances

The political landscape is marked by a complex web of new and traditional partnerships. In an early boost for the ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena-Shinde, and NCP-Ajit Pawar), approximately 68 candidates have already been elected unopposed across various corporations as of January 3.

In Mumbai, a unique "local-front" alliance has emerged between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), as the Thackeray cousins seek to consolidate the Marathi vote. Meanwhile, the Congress is contesting in a seat-sharing pact with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), aiming to secure a foothold in the 227-member BMC. BMC Elections 2026: Close Fight Between Shiv Sena UBT, Eknath Shinde Faction on 69 Seats, BJP and Uddhav Thackeray Camp on 97 Seats.

Key Candidates

Here are the key candidates and notable names in the major municipal corporations:

1- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

Mumbai remains the most intense battleground with 227 wards. Notable candidates include:

• Sheetal Mhatre (Congress): Contesting from Ward 1, she is a high-profile face for the Congress.
• Tejashwi Ghosalkar (BJP): A key candidate in Ward 2, representing a strong family legacy in the suburbs.
• Prakash Darekar (BJP): Contesting from Ward 3; he is the brother of senior BJP leader Pravin Darekar.
• Rekha Yadav (Shiv Sena - Shinde): A prominent candidate from Ward 1.
• Mangesh Satamkar (BJP): A veteran former standing committee chairman seeking re-election.
• Zeeshan Changez Multani (Shiv Sena - UBT): Contesting from Ward 62, part of the UBT faction's push in the western suburbs.

2- Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)

Pune has seen a record number of unopposed wins for the ruling alliance, but several key battles remain:

• Manjusha Nagpure & Shrikant Jagtap (BJP): Both have already been elected unopposed from Ward 35 after opposition withdrawals.
• Sandeep Beldare (NCP - Ajit Pawar): A heavyweight candidate from Ward 38 (Katraj-Ambegaon).
• Nanasaheb Kondiba Aabnave (Independent/Rebel): A notable local face in Ward 4 (Kharadi-Wagholi).
• Suryakant Andekar (Independent): Contesting from Ward 24 (Kasaba Peth area), a traditional stronghold.

3- Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC)

In the Deputy CM’s home turf, the BJP is defending a massive 2017 mandate:

• Dayashankar Tiwari (BJP): Former Mayor and current City President, a central figure in the BJP's campaign.
• Bunty Shelke (INC): A firebrand Congress leader known for aggressive local campaigning, contesting from Central Nagpur.
• Abha Pande (Independent): A prominent former corporator contesting independently, expected to pull significant local votes.
• Duneshwar Pethe (NCP - Sharad Pawar): Leading the NCP-SP charge in the city after the split with Congress for the civic polls.

4- Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC)

As the stronghold of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Thane is a prestige battle:

• Naresh Mhaske (Shiv Sena - Shinde): Though a former Mayor and current MP, his influence and handpicked candidates are central to the Shinde faction's "Thane Pattern."

Panel System, Reservation Details

In the 2026 Maharashtra municipal elections, the Panel System (also known as the Multi-Member Ward System) is being used in most major cities, with the notable exception of Mumbai (BMC).

This system significantly changes how citizens vote and how corporators represent their areas. Here is a breakdown of how it works:

1- Multi-Member Wards (The 'Panel')

Instead of a single ward electing just one representative, the city is divided into larger areas called Prabhags (Panels).

• Structure: Each panel typically elects 3 to 4 corporators.
• Voting: When you go to the polling booth, you do not just vote for one person. You will see multiple buttons on the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) for different categories within your panel (e.g., Category A, B, C, and D). You must cast one vote for each category to choose a full "panel" of representatives.

2- Reservation Categorization

Within a single 4-member panel, the seats are divided to ensure diverse representation:

• Seat 1: Reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• Seat 2: Reserved for Women (General).
• Seat 3: Reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC).
• Seat 4: Open/General category.

Because of this, a voter might find themselves voting for a BJP candidate in the open category, a Shiv Sena candidate in the women's category, and an NCP candidate in the SC category - all within the same panel.

3- No Panel System in BMC Elections 2026

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) does not follow the panel system. It continues to use the Single-Member Ward System.

• Mumbai is divided into 227 small wards.
• Each ward elects exactly one corporator.
• Voters in Mumbai only press one button on the EVM for their preferred candidate.

4- Why Use the Panel System?

Political parties and the state government often debate this system because it changes the "math" of the election:

• For Parties: It allows stronger parties to "carry" weaker candidates. A popular lead candidate in a panel can help their fellow party members in the other categories win as a group.
• For Voters: It means you have 3 or 4 representatives to approach for civic issues instead of just one. However, it can sometimes lead to "passing the buck" between corporators when work isn't done.
• Development: Proponents argue it allows for larger-scale infrastructure planning since a panel covers a much wider geographic area than a tiny single ward.

How To Vote in Panel System

Voting in a multi-member panel system (Prabhag system) is different from general or assembly elections. Instead of choosing just one candidate, you are electing a group of representatives for your area.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cast your vote on January 15, 2026:

1- Understanding Your Ballot

When you enter the voting compartment, the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) or the ballot unit will be divided into sections (usually labeled A, B, C, and D).

• Each section represents a specific "seat" within your panel based on reservation categories (e.g., Seat A for SC/ST, Seat B for Women, Seat C for OBC, and Seat D for Open).
• You are entitled to one vote for each seat (A, B, C, and D).

2- The Voting Process

• Cast Vote for Seat A: Press the blue button next to your preferred candidate's name and symbol in the first section. You will hear a beep.
• Cast Vote for Seat B: Move to the second section and press the button for your preferred candidate there.
• Repeat for Seats C & D: Continue this process until you have voted for one candidate in every category available in your panel.

You do not need to press a final "submit" button; the machine will automatically register your votes as you complete each category.

3- Can You Split Your Votes?

Yes. You are not required to vote for the same political party across all categories.

• You can choose a BJP candidate for Seat A, a Shiv Sena candidate for Seat B, and an Independent for Seat C if you wish.
• However, most major alliances (like Mahayuti or MVA) will field a full "panel" of candidates and encourage you to vote for their entire group to ensure they have a majority in the corporation.

4- Important Rules to Remember

• One Vote per Category: You cannot vote for two people in the same category (e.g., two people in Seat A). The machine will not allow it.
• Abstaining: If you do not wish to vote for any candidate in a specific category, you can choose the NOTA (None Of The Above) option, which will be available at the end of each category's list.

Why the Elections Were Delayed

These elections were originally due in early 2022 but faced repeated postponements. The primary hurdle was a legal battle in the Supreme Court concerning the "Triple Test" for OBC reservations in local bodies. Following the resolution of the quota issue and a subsequent court mandate to complete all pending polls by January 31, 2026, the SEC expedited the current schedule.

Voters are expected to prioritize hyper-local issues, including urban infrastructure, monsoon drainage systems, and the rising cost of civic services, alongside the broader state political narrative.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2026 12:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).