Voters in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region experienced significant confusion while casting their ballots on Thursday. The municipal corporation elections introduced a new four-member panel system this time, replacing the previous single-member ward arrangement. This change applied to areas outside Mumbai, creating unexpected challenges for many citizens.
Understanding the New Voting Mechanism
Each panel consisted of four separate wards. Voters needed to select candidates individually for all four positions instead of choosing just one representative. The Election Commission and political parties actively campaigned to inform the public about this requirement. Pictorial guides explaining the process were displayed prominently outside polling stations across the region.
Technical Glitches and Voter Frustration
Despite these efforts, confusion remained evident at numerous polling booths. Many voters failed to press all four buttons on the electronic voting machines. Some individuals expressed uncertainty about whom to vote for within the new system.
In Navi Mumbai's Yashwantrao Chavan Chowk area of Ward 12B, specific problems emerged. The button for independent candidate Vaishali Walunjkar reportedly malfunctioned at one polling station. "This issue led to frustration among many voters," Walunjkar stated clearly.
Activist B N Kumar encountered an awkward situation at the NMMC-run CBSE School in Kopar Khairane. "I played tabla on the voting machine," Kumar recalled humorously. "The button on the pink panel simply did not work." A polling official initially informed him about the faulty fourth button.
Delays and Explanations Across Cities
Thane witnessed particular difficulties with the multi-panel system, which hadn't been used for corporator elections in nearly nine years. Minor delays occurred at several polling booths throughout the city. Elderly citizens and first-time voters struggled most with the unfamiliar format.
Polling centers in Owale, Kokanipada, Kalwa, Rabodi, and other parts of Thane saw election officials repeatedly explaining the process. Gangu Garje from Ghodbunder initially believed they needed to press only one button. Many voters were unaware that selections were required across multiple panels.
Voters frequently sought clarification about whether they needed to choose the same party or NOTA option on each panel. Officials confirmed that the unfamiliar format noticeably impacted voting procedures. Some voters took over a minute to scan candidate lists, a process that normally requires only seconds.
A zonal officer from Ghodbunder acknowledged that senior citizens and unaware voters contributed to brief delays. However, the officer noted that lower voter loads per booth helped absorb the impact.
Implementation Challenges in Kalyan-Dombivli
The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation polls revealed additional complexities with the panel system. Some voters hesitated when they didn't hear the confirmation "beep" sound after pressing EVM buttons. In such instances, polling officials guided voters to cast separate votes for each of the four candidates listed on different machines under the panel arrangement.
Relative Familiarity in Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar presented a contrasting scenario. The panel system wasn't entirely new there, as a similar voting method had been implemented in 2017. Consequently, voters demonstrated comparatively higher awareness levels. Many residents appeared familiar with the process and voted with noticeable confidence.
The Election Commission's efforts to educate voters through campaigns and visual aids proved partially successful. Yet the transition from single-member wards to four-member panels clearly presented practical challenges across most MMR municipalities during this election cycle.
