Mumbai prepares for municipal elections this Thursday. A curious pattern emerges among candidates. Many will cast their votes in wards different from where they contest.
A Common Quirk in Civic Elections
This situation highlights a unique aspect of local elections. Voter registration often does not align with political candidacy. Candidates find themselves voting away from their electoral battlegrounds.
Western Suburbs Experience
Tejaswee Ghosalkar contests from Ward 2 in Dahisar. She will vote in Ward 11 where she remains registered. Ghosalkar explains this happened in her previous election too.
"Municipal elections often work this way," she says. "Your voter registration does not always follow your political journey. Sustained presence matters more than the address on your voter ID."
She emphasizes both wards fall under the same administrative area. People recognize effort and accessibility over technical details.
South Mumbai Scenario
BJP candidate Harshita Narwekar contests from Ward 225. She will cast her vote in Ward 227. Narwekar stresses the importance of voting regardless of location.
"Whether it's Ward 225 or 227, the responsibility remains the same," she states. "We must be accountable to our voters. Trust builds over time, not just on polling day."
Cross-Party Phenomenon
This pattern extends across political parties. Congress candidate Naseema Juneja contests from Ward 213. She will vote in Ward 224.
Her husband, former corporator Javed Juneja, explains their situation. "I tried to transfer our voting to this ward which I won from last election. Technical reasons prevented the change," he says.
Juneja notes an advantage to contesting where you vote. "Your family votes for you too. Strategically, it makes a clear difference," he adds.
Subtle Electoral Benefits
Some candidates see additional benefits from residential voting. NCP nominee Rakesh Coelho contests from Ward 59. He remains registered in Ward 61.
Coelho believes voting in your residential area brings extra support. "Beyond friends and family, you gain from hundreds of building residents," he explains. "People tend to vote together and back someone they know personally. They see you in lifts, society meetings, and festivals. This quietly works in your favor."
Polling Day Routine
On election day, these candidates will start their morning by voting. They cast ballots in wards away from their contest areas. Then they spend the day moving across polling stations in wards they hope to represent.
This municipal election quirk shows how local politics operates in Mumbai. Candidates adapt to administrative realities while focusing on voter connections.
