The 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election took place on 15 January 2026 to elect members to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the second largest city in India. Voting lasted one day and the results were released on 16 January.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Maha Yuti alliance secured a simple majority. The BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 89 seats on its own. Following the elections, Ritu Tawde of the BJP was elected as the Mayor of Mumbai.
Background
Four-member ward system (except BMC) The Maharashtra government implemented a four-member ward system for most municipal corporations in the state, with the exception of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). While the ruling parties stated that the move would strengthen democracy, the opposition expressed concerns about delays in civic elections and questioned why the administration had not approached the court to expedite the election process.
Updates on BMC ward boundaries Source:
Rectified boundaries: The BMC submitted a final draft of revised boundaries for its 227 electoral wards to the State Election Commission (SEC). Approximately 20–25% of ward boundaries were modified, affecting around 60 wards.
Reasons for changes: Updates were made based on additions and deletions in voter lists. Boundary changes reflected population shifts caused by redevelopment, infrastructure projects, and slum rehabilitation schemes.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has 24 administrative wards, which are further divided into 227 electoral wards (constituencies) for elections. Each ward has its own officer responsible for local administration and services. The ward boundaries were redrawn in early 2025.
Process of delimitation Directives from SEC: In August, the State Election Commission instructed municipal corporations to begin the delimitation process for ward boundaries.
Criteria for changes: Adjustments were based on population changes reflected in updated census data. Boundary modifications were triggered when a constituency's population changed by more than 10%.
Public input: After approval of the draft by the SEC, suggestions and objections from the public were invited.
Population and wards Population basis: Each ward is designed to have approximately 54,000 residents. Adjustments accounted for population growth in suburban areas and a decline in the island city.
Impact on corporators: Delimitation resulted in the division of some suburban wards into four parts, affecting representation.
Schedule
Ward Structure Event
Structure EventScheduleDraft Ward Structure1 February 2023Objections and Suggestion 14 February 2023Final draft will be Submitted2 March 2023
Poll Event
Poll EventSchedule Notification 15 December 2025 Last Date for filing nomination30 December 2025 Scrutiny of Nominations31 December 2025 Withdrawal of Candidature2 January 2026 Date of Poll15 January 2026 Date of Counting16 January 2026
Parties and alliances
Party Flag Symbols Leader Seats contestedRowspan=2 BJP + SHS Bharatiya Janata Party 135 Shiv Sena 89SS(UBT) + MNS + NCP(SP) Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) 160 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena 53 Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) 11Rowspan=3 INC + VBA + RSPS Indian National Congress 151 Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi 46 Rashtriya Samaj Paksha 2 Nationalist Congress Party 37 Communist Party of India (Marxist) 9 All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Samajwadi Party 30
Candidates https://www.mcgm.gov.in/irj/go/km/docs/documents/MCGM%20Department%20List/Assessment%20And%20Collection%20(Election)/Docs/Election%20Department/BMC%20General%20Election%202025/List%20of%20Contesting%20Candidates%20%3a%20BMC%20Election/List%20of%20constesting%20Candidatespdf