Mumbai civic body polls 2026: Mobile phones allowed at polling stations, but must remain..

Mumbai Commissioner and District Election Officer for the municipal polls, Bhushan Gagrani, said mobile phones are not barred at polling stations but should remain switched off.

According to a report published by The Times of India, the Mumbai Commissioner said that he strongly discourages people from carrying their mobile phones, but if they do carry them, the devices should remain switched off at all times.

Gagrani urged people to step out and exercise their franchise on January 15.

BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani says, “BMC is all prepared to conduct these elections. Voting will be held on 15th January and counting on 16th. There are 227 wards in total. 1700 candidates are contesting.”

Earlier, Amid the political heat ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday made strong remarks on Marathi identity, asserting that the leadership of the civic body would remain in Marathi hands.

Countering Opposition claims over threats to the “Marathi manush,” Fadnavis said it was not the Marathi community but certain political forces whose existence was at stake, underscoring that Maharashtra belongs to all Marathi people, not any single group.

“It’s not the Marathi manush whose existence is in danger. It’s you whose existence is at stake. I want to say this again that you are not the whole Maharashtra. You are not the only Marathi here. I want to reiterate that only Marathi person will be at the helm of affairs in BMC. Only Marathi will lead,” Fadnavis said.