How to vote in BMC Election 2026: Everything you need to know

The civic elections for 29 municipal bodies including the highstake Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC Pune Municipal Corporation PMC Nagpur Municipal Corporation NMC and other corporations are just around the cornerThe civic polls will decide the fate of hundreds of municipal councillors who are in fray for the January 15 polls The candidates of major political parties in Maharashtra including the BJP AAP AIMIM and the two factions of the Shiv Sena and NCP are even going doortodoor to please the voters for the upcoming pollsUnlike Members of Parliament MPs or Members of the Legislative Assembly MLAs who focus on national and statelevel policy a corporator also known as a councillor is responsible for the daily civic issues of in the neighbourhoodWith Maharashtrarsquos political landscape changing rapidly especially after the local body election results in late 2025 and ahead of the BMC polls scheduled for January 2026 here is a practical guide on how to vote and what one should know before polling dayHow to voteYou are eligible to vote only if your name appears in the Voter List also known as the Electoral Roll Voters can also use official platforms to find details about their polling booth contesting candidates election dates and timings identity requirements and information related to Electronic Voting Machines EVMsWhere to check your voter registration statusYou can vote only if your name is listed on the Electoral Roll Voters are advised to verify their registration status well in advance of polling dayHow to vote in personThe voting process at a polling station follows these stepsThe first polling official will verify your name on the voter list and check your identity proofThe second polling official will apply indelible ink on your finger hand you a slip and take your signature in the voter register Form 17AYou must submit the slip to the third polling official show your inked finger and then proceed to the polling boothRecord your vote by pressing the button next to the symbol of your chosen candidate on the Electronic Voting Machine EVM You will hear a beep sound confirming your voteCheck the slip displayed in the transparent window of the VVPAT machine The slip which shows the candidatersquos serial number name and symbol will be visible for seven seconds before it drops into the sealed VVPAT boxIf you do not wish to vote for any candidate you may choose NOTA None of the Above which is the last button on the EVMFor additional details voters can refer to the official Voter Guide available at ecisveepnicinImportant rules at polling stationsMobile phones cameras and any other electronic gadgets are not permitted inside the polling boothHow to use an EVMEVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine and VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail Voters can watch an official demonstration video to understand how to cast their vote using the EVMVVPAT systemWhat identification should you carry to voteVoters must carry one of the following recognised identity documents to the polling station The Photo Voter Slip is not accepted as a standalone identity documentEPIC Voter ID cardPassportDriving licenceService identity cards with photograph issued to employees by CentralState Governments PSUs or public limited companiesPassbooks with photograph issued by banks or post officesPAN cardSmart card issued by the Registrar General of India RGI under NPRMNREGA job card Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment GuaranteeHealth insurance smart card issued under schemes of the Ministry of LabourPension document with photographOfficial identity cards issued to MPs MLAs or MLCsAadhaar card