Voting Begins for Civic Polls 2026

The Maharashtra municipal election results 2026 are set to be announced today, with the State Election Commission starting vote counting for 29 key municipal corporations, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Counting begins at 10 am, following polling on January 15 for 2,869 seats across 893 wards.

These elections have drawn extra attention due to shifting political alliances. Former rivals, the Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj, reunited last June and are contesting together, while Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has aligned with Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction in battlegrounds like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The results could significantly reshape Maharashtra’s urban political landscape.

Civic Bodies in Focus

Apart from Mumbai, the 29 municipal corporations include Pune, Thane, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Solapur, Amravati, Akola, Nashik, Chandrapur, Parbhani, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Latur, Malegaon, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Jalgaon, Dhule, Jalna, Ichalkaranji, and more.

Voter Turnout and Controversies

Polling ran from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. The overall turnout is estimated at 46–50%, with Kolhapur leading at 50.85%, while Mumbai recorded 41%. Allegations of erasable ink also emerged, with Uddhav Thackeray claiming the ink could be wiped off and accusing authorities of collusion.

Exit Poll Predictions

Exit polls suggest a BJP-led Mahayuti alliance lead, especially in the BMC. Axis My India projects 131–151 seats for BJP–Shiv Sena, 58–68 seats for the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS–NCP (SP) combine, and 12–16 seats for the Congress–VBA–RSP alliance. JVC similarly predicts 138+ seats for the BJP-led alliance.

Maharashtra Civic Body Election 2026 Result: Which Party Is Currently Ruling Maharashtra

Maharashtra is currently governed by the BJP-led alliance, with Devendra Fadnavis serving as the Chief Minister.