Low Voter Turnout in Maharashtra Municipal Elections

The municipal elections in Maharashtra have experienced a disappointing voter turnout, with only 17.41% participation reported by midday. Key political figures, including Ganesh Naik and Subhash Chandra, have voiced their concerns regarding the low engagement and technical issues faced by voters. As the elections unfold, the disparity in voter participation between genders and the challenges in the voting process have raised significant questions about civic engagement in the region. This article delves into the details of the elections and the reactions from prominent leaders.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 15, 2026, 14:38 IST

Maharashtra Municipal Elections Witness Low Participation

Voting for municipal elections across 29 municipalities in Maharashtra commenced on Thursday, but the turnout has been notably sluggish. According to the state election commission, only 17.41% of voters had cast their ballots by 11:30 AM. Earlier in the day, Mumbai reported a mere 7.12% voter turnout by 9:30 AM, with Ward 18 seeing the highest participation at 11.57%, while Ward 162 recorded the lowest at just 1.68%. Out of a total of 1,03,44,315 registered voters, only 7,36,996 had voted by that time. Official data from the state election commission indicates that nearly twice as many men voted compared to women.

Notable Figures Cast Their Votes

In the BMC elections, 4,54,539 men participated, while 2,82,433 women cast their votes. Earlier, several leaders, including Maharashtra Minister Ganesh Naik and his family, voted at the Bonkod polling station. Former Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Chandra also voted and criticized the affluent class for their complaints without participating in the voting process. He stated, 'I came to vote today. The high-income group complains about everything but fails to show up to vote. If they cannot vote, perhaps they shouldn't complain either.'

Chandra mentioned he initially faced challenges locating his booth, but officials promptly assisted him. He suggested there might have been some discrepancies in the voter list, but it wasn't a significant issue. He added that he struggled to find his booth number, but officials quickly helped him out. Anand Dubey, a spokesperson for Shiv Sena (UBT), also voted at a polling center in Kandivali, Mumbai.

Technical Issues and Voter Concerns

Dubey pointed out that the election commission's website was not functioning properly and urged citizens to step out and vote. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed that the name of the candidate he voted for did not appear on the digital screen. Others echoed similar sentiments, including director Ashutosh Gowariker's brother, Avinash Gowariker, who expressed frustration over the lack of 'voting slips.'