The nomination process for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, scheduled for 2026, maintained a steady rhythm on Saturday. A total of 35 nomination papers were submitted across the city's wards, bringing the cumulative count to 44 since the process commenced.
Nomination Figures and Ward-Wise Trends
While the pace of filing remains measured, public interest appears high. Civic authorities have distributed a significant 10,343 nomination forms from 23 Returning Officer offices since the window opened on December 23. The distribution of forms far outpaces the actual filings, indicating potential candidates are still in the decision-making phase.
Geographically, wards C and D have seen the highest number of nominations filed so far, closely followed by the M East ward. Interestingly, several other wards have yet to witness a single candidate formally entering the electoral fray. Nominations can be filed daily between 11 am and 5 pm until December 30.
Swachh Bharat Mandate: The Toilet Certificate Rule
In a significant compliance move, the BMC has reiterated a mandatory requirement for all candidates: the submission of a toilet usage certificate or a self-declaration along with their nomination papers. This directive comes from the State Election Commission (SEC) of Maharashtra.
Failure to submit this certificate during scrutiny gives the Returning Officer the authority to reject the nomination outright. The rule, introduced in 2016 through amendments to the Maharashtra Act as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, requires candidates in local body elections to certify they regularly use a toilet—be it a private facility at their residence or a community toilet.
The BMC clarified the process, stating that no photographs of toilets or individuals are necessary for the certification. This rule applies uniformly, regardless of whether the candidate owns or rents their home.
Strict Training Regime for Election Staff
As the election machinery gears up, the BMC is leaving no room for error in its preparations. The civic body has issued a stern warning to all officials and staff appointed for election duty regarding mandatory training sessions.
Attendance for these training programs, scheduled between December 29, 2025, and January 9, 2026, is compulsory. Officials have warned that failure to attend will result in criminal action being initiated against the absentees.
Addressing a review meeting at the civic headquarters, Joint Commissioner (Assessment and Collection) Vishwas Shankarwar emphasized that polling staff form the backbone of the electoral process. He stated that any lapse in understanding procedures could compromise the entire election's credibility.
The training curriculum is comprehensive, covering:
- Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) handling and troubleshooting.
- Procedures for conducting mock polls.
- Management and accounting of polling materials.
- Protocols for postal voting and post-poll activities.
These sessions will be conducted at seven different locations across Mumbai for accessibility. Special Duty Officer (Elections) Vijay Balamvar added that the training would include step-by-step technical demonstrations via computer-based presentations to eliminate any confusion on the actual polling day.
The simultaneous focus on candidate compliance and staff training underscores the administration's intent to conduct a smooth, transparent, and credible election for India's richest municipal corporation.
