52.94% turnout recorded in Mumbai civic polls; down from 55.53% in last elections in 2017
A voter turnout of 52.94% was recorded in the Mumbai civic polls, down from 55.53% in the last elections in 2017, officials said on Friday (January 16, 2026).
According to data released by the civic body, ward number 114 in suburban Bhandup recorded the highest turnout at 64.53%, while ward number 227 in south Mumbai’s Colaba area reported the lowest turnout at 20.88%.
Of the over 1.03 crore eligible voters in the metropolis, 52.94% exercised their franchise on Thursday between 7.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., they said. More than 15 hours after the polling, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared the final voter turnout.
The turnout on Thursday (January 15, 2026) showed a steady rise, with 6.98% voting till 9.30 am, 17.73% till 11.30 am, 29.96% till 1.30 pm and 41.08% till 3.30 pm, officials said.
In the morning, short queues were seen at most polling stations. However, many booths witnessed noticeable lines by midday, with longer waiting times, while moderate crowds were reported in the afternoon and evening. Several prominent figures cast their ballots during the day.
In parts of south Mumbai, among the city’s poshest areas, there was hardly any crowd or queue at several polling stations.
Though a public holiday was declared, several private companies had given employees a few hours’ window to cast their votes.
Political party functionaries said there was a steady flow of voters in slum-dominated areas since morning, while in some localities, turnout improved in the afternoon, when women voters generally stepped out after completing household chores.
The election to the 227-member BMC, which governs India’s richest municipal corporation with a budget of ₹74,400 crore, is being held after a long gap, making it a key political contest. Nearly 1,700 candidates are in the fray this time.
The last BMC polls were held in 2017 with a voter turnout of 55.53%, and the term of the elected body ended in March 2022.
