The State Election Commission (SEC) has decided to set up polling stations in housing societies for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Approximately 850 polling stations in the city are likely to be located within society premises.
Polling stations were set up in housing societies for the first time during the Assembly elections in November 2024. This initiative significantly increased voter turnout in those areas. Following this success, both the Election Commission and the BMC are looking to replicate this experiment in the BMC elections.
The apathy of Mumbaikars towards voting, especially in the city's affluent areas, is not new. For years, Mumbai's voter turnout has hovered around 45%. In 2017, it increased to 55%, the highest since 1992. Compared to other parts of the state, Mumbai has consistently had a lower voter turnout.
State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare stated that this decision will help increase voter participation in the municipal elections.
“Many people do not go out to vote because the polling station is far from their homes, there are long queues, or for other similar reasons. Having a polling station within or very close to the society premises will increase the voter turnout,” he said.
Waghmare also clarified that the responsibility of identifying locations for the polling stations will rest with the BMC, not the Election Commission.
“We have only stipulated that there should be a minimum of 800 to 900 voters per polling station,” he said. Instructions have also been given to the BMC to provide necessary facilities for disabled and senior citizens.
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said that a list of proposed polling stations in the city's societies will be prepared soon and sent to the Election Commission for approval.
“Most of the locations used in the 2024 Assembly elections are likely to be retained, while minor changes may be made in some places as needed,” he said.
The polling stations set up in housing societies during the 2024 Assembly elections received an excellent response. The polling station at Sahitya Sahawas in Kalanagar, Bandra East, a colony of writers and literary figures, served approximately 1000 registered voters. By the end of the day, the voter turnout reached 60%.