Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 16 (HBTV): The recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections recorded a voter turnout of 52.94 per cent, according to data released by the State Election Commissioner on Friday.
The elections, held after a gap of eight years, marked a significant civic exercise for Mumbai. The previous BMC polls were conducted in 2017, while the term of the last elected mayor, Kishori Pednekar, ended in March 2022. With the completion of polling, the city is set to get a new mayor after nearly four years.
According to the data, the highest voter turnout was recorded in Ward 114 at around 65.53 per cent, while the lowest turnout was reported in Ward 227 at 20.88 per cent.
Out of a total electorate of 1,03,44,315 voters, 54,76,043 cast their votes. In absolute numbers, more men voted than women, with 29,23,433 men, 25,52,359 women and 251 transgender voters exercising their franchise. However, in percentage terms, women recorded a marginally higher turnout at 52.8 per cent compared to 52.2 per cent among men.
The polls were conducted amid allegations by the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance, which were subsequently refuted by the State Election Commission.
Exit polls have predicted an advantage for the BJP–Shiv Sena alliance. According to Axis My India, the alliance is projected to win between 131 and 151 seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance is expected to secure 58 to 68 seats. The Congress-VBA-RSP alliance is projected to win 12 to 16 seats, with others expected to get between six and 12 seats.
The BMC polls were held for 227 seats, with 114 required for a simple majority. Axis My India also projected a 42 per cent vote share for the Mahayuti allies, including 28 per cent for the BJP and 14 per cent for the Shiv Sena.
According to DV Research, the BJP–Shiv Sena alliance is poised to win between 107 and 122 seats, while the Thackeray brothers’ alliance could secure 68 to 83 seats. The Congress-led alliance is projected to win 18 to 25 seats.
Another exit poll by Janmat predicted 138 seats for the BJP and Shiv Sena, 62 seats for the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance, 20 seats for the Congress-led alliance and seven seats for others, with a margin of error of plus or minus five seats.
The undivided Shiv Sena had been a dominant force in the BMC in the past, winning 84 seats in the 2007 elections, while the BJP won 82 seats. The party split in 2022 led to Eknath Shinde breaking away, later becoming Deputy Chief Minister.
The BJP contested the elections in alliance with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray joined hands for the polls, campaigning on the plank of protecting Marathi identity.
The counting of votes for the BMC elections began at 10.00 am on Friday across 23 designated counting centres in Mumbai.
(ANI)