Navi Mumbai and Panvel Lead MMR Voter Turnout
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Panvel area achieved the highest voter turnout in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region during Thursday's civic elections. Estimates indicate approximately 58% of eligible voters cast their ballots in these areas. This marks a significant increase from the last NNMC elections held in 2015, when voter participation stood at just 49%.
Mixed Turnout Patterns Across MMR Corporations
Several other municipal corporations within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region also witnessed slightly higher voter participation compared to previous civic polls. Vasai-Virar and Kalyan-Dombivli both reported increased turnout numbers according to Thursday night estimates. However, Bhiwandi and Ulhasnagar appeared to experience reduced voter participation during this election cycle.
Technical Problems and Allegations Mar Thane Polling
In Thane, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's political stronghold, voter turnout reached approximately 54%. Despite this moderate participation, polling across multiple wards in the city faced serious challenges. Numerous voters reported technical glitches with electronic voting machines throughout the day. Many citizens complained about missing names from electoral rolls and unexpected changes to their assigned polling stations.
The multi-panel voting system proved difficult for some voters to navigate successfully. Several individuals left polling booths without casting their ballots due to excessive delays. Thane voters also raised concerns about the quality of the so-called 'indelible ink' used to mark those who had voted. Multiple people claimed this ink could be easily removed with plain water or even saliva.
Candidate-Specific Voting Machine Issues
At various polling locations, voters reported that buttons corresponding to specific candidates were not functioning properly. This problem particularly affected independent candidates and Shiv Sena rebels. In Naupada, independent candidate Kiran Nakti personally verified these complaints after receiving alerts from his supporters. Similar grievances emerged from a Sena rebel in Ward 4 and from the lone challenger facing a Sena candidate in Vartak Nagar.
Polling Disruptions and Security Concerns
In Kajuwada, election officials temporarily halted voting after discovering incorrectly arranged ballot units. Polling resumed only after technicians properly reset the equipment. Former mayor H.S. Patil reported that voting was suspended for nearly one hour in Nalpada following resident complaints about bogus voting. Voter D Shetty from Louiswadi alleged that someone else had already voted using his name.
Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation recorded an estimated 52.11% turnout for its 122 seats, representing a three percent increase from 2015. To manage long queues, election authorities established polling booths in schools and housing complex parking areas. In KDMC Panel No. 29, additional police personnel were deployed following recent clashes between BJP and Sena party workers. Officers turned back vehicles reportedly arriving from Badlapur to prevent potential disturbances.
Widespread Voting Difficulties Across Municipalities
Vasai-Virar, which recorded 55% voter turnout, experienced its own share of problems. Multiple polling booths reported issues with non-functional EVM machines and allegations of bogus voting. Across Naigaon, Vasai, Nalasopara, and Virar, numerous voters could not locate their names on electoral rolls, creating significant frustration.
MiraBhayandar Municipal Corporation faced similar challenges despite achieving approximately 50% voter participation. In Virar East's Shirgaon polling centre, electronic voting machines remained non-functional for about thirty minutes. Similar disruptions occurred at Tarkanagar in Vasai East, where machines stopped working for forty minutes, and at Girij and Umelman in Vasai West, where EVMs reportedly malfunctioned for nearly two hours.
Logistical Challenges for Voters
Many voters across the region had not received their voting slips before election day, making it difficult for them to locate their assigned polling booths. In numerous cases, family members discovered they were registered to vote at different polling stations, forcing them to travel to separate locations to cast their ballots. These logistical issues contributed to longer queues and increased frustration among citizens attempting to exercise their democratic rights.
