State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare on Monday (December 15) announced the schedule for the much-delayed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Addressing a press conference, Waghmare said polling for the BMC will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16. The previous BMC elections for the 227-member civic body were conducted in February 2017.
Along with Mumbai, the State Election Commission also declared election dates for 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including Pune, Nagpur, Thane and Nashik.
Complete Election Schedule
-
Filing of nominations: December 23 to December 30
-
Scrutiny of nominations: December 31
-
Withdrawal of candidature: January 2, 2026
-
Allotment of election symbols and release of final list of candidates: January 3
-
Polling day: January 15
-
Counting of votes: January 16
Political Alignments Ahead of the Polls
The ruling Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar—is set to contest the elections together. In contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) remains divided over a potential alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). While the Shiv Sena (UBT) is in favour of a joint fight with the MNS, the Congress has expressed reservations, citing concerns over the possible loss of north Indian votes.
Outcome of the 2017 BMC Elections
In the 2017 civic polls, the undivided Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party, winning 84 of the 227 seats, closely followed by the BJP with 82 seats. The two parties were allies at the time. The Congress secured 31 seats, while the undivided NCP won 13 seats. Raj Thackeray’s MNS claimed victory in seven wards.
