Key Points
- Voting begins at 7 AM across 227 wards with 2,600 polling stations
- 64,000 election staff deployed, including 23 returning officers
- New EVMs sourced from Bengaluru ensure transparent ballot casting
- Aqua Line Metro extends operations from 5 AM to midnight for voter convenience
- 100-200 meter security cordon enforced around all polling booths
The State Election Commission has implemented multi-layered security protocols, prohibiting movement within 100-200 meters of polling stations under orders from Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar. Central Armed Police Forces supplement local police at sensitive booths identified through vulnerability mapping. Electronic voting machines, indelible ink, voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units, and tamper-evident seals reached polling stations via secure convoys on Wednesday, with distribution continuing through early morning hours.
Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Additional BMC Commissioner (City), personally inspected material distribution at Shahajiraje Bhosale Sports Complex in Andheri West, emphasizing time-bound delivery. “Every polling station receives customized kits containing ballot units, control units, voter lists, official stamps, guidebooks, and accessibility equipment,” she stated during her midnight review.
Voter Facilities and Accessibility
All polling centers provide drinking water, functional toilets, wheelchair ramps, adequate lighting, and separate queues for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The commission has mandated at least one model polling station per ward with enhanced amenities, including help desks and medical assistance. For the first time, QR-coded voter slips allow faster verification, reducing wait times at busy urban booths.
The 1,700 candidates include 850 from national parties, 420 from regional outfits, and 430 independents, reflecting intense political competition. Voter turnout in the 2017 elections stood at 55.5%, and officials expect higher participation this time due to increased awareness campaigns and extended voting hours.
Transport and Infrastructure Support
Aqua Line Metro services operate on a special schedule from 5 AM to 12 AM, with trains running every 3-4 minutes during peak morning and evening hours. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) deployed additional rakes, increasing frequency from both Aarey JVLR and Cuffe Parade terminals. This facilitates election staff reaching remote booths and voters commuting across the metropolitan region.
BEST buses offer free rides to voters displaying election photo identity cards, with 200 special buses reserved for transporting elderly and disabled voters from designated pickup points. Traffic police have cleared no-parking zones within 200 meters of polling stations, creating dedicated drop-off lanes.
Technology and Transparency Measures
New-generation EVMs from Bharat Electronics Limited’s Bengaluru facility feature advanced encryption and real-time diagnostic capabilities. Each machine undergoes mock polling before deployment, with results displayed publicly at booth opening. The commission has installed webcasting at 50% of booths, enabling live monitoring from the state control room in South Mumbai.
Twenty-three returning officers oversee strong rooms and counting centers across seven zones, with final results expected by January 18. The Public Works Department certified all counting venues for structural safety, while police provide three-tier security with 24/7 CCTV surveillance.
