Nagpur witnessed dramatic scenes during the Nagpur Municipal Corporation election 2026. The polling process faced significant disruptions as Electronic Voting Machines developed technical snags in several wards across the city.
EVM Malfunctions Disrupt Voting Process
Officials confirmed that EVMs malfunctioned in multiple Nagpur wards during Thursday's municipal elections. The technical issues created confusion among voters and election staff at various polling stations.
Similar problems were reported from other Maharashtra locations including Amravati, Shirgaon, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Akola, and Dhule. Election authorities worked to resolve these technical glitches throughout the voting day.
Violent Attack on BJP Candidate
In a disturbing incident, BJP candidate Bhushan Shingne faced a violent attack on the eve of elections. A group of unidentified assailants attacked the former corporator, leaving him seriously injured.
Shingne represents Ward No. 11 in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Police have launched an investigation into the attack that occurred just before voters went to the polls.
Voter Turnout and Key Participants
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections recorded a 51% voter turnout. Among those who cast their votes were prominent political figures including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Over 24.8 lakh voters were eligible to participate in these elections. The electoral roll included 12,26,690 male voters and 12,56,166 female voters.
Political Landscape and Seat Distribution
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation comprises 151 seats across 38 wards. Major political parties contested aggressively for control of the civic body.
The BJP fielded candidates in 143 seats while their ally Shiv Sena contested eight seats. The Congress party contested independently across all 151 seats.
In the previous 2017 NMC elections, the BJP secured a dominant position by winning 108 seats. The Congress managed 28 seats, while BSP won 10 seats. The undivided Shiv Sena and NCP secured two and one seat respectively.
Counting and Results Declaration
Election officials will declare the Nagpur Municipal Corporation election results on Friday, January 16, 2026. The counting process will determine which party gains control of the important civic body.
Political observers are closely watching these results as they could indicate shifting political trends in Maharashtra. The EVM malfunctions and the attack on a candidate have added unexpected dimensions to this election cycle.
