Mumbai BMC Polls 2023: Voter Base Grows by 12%, Candidate Count Drops by 25%

Though Mumbai’s voter base has grown by over 12%, the number of candidates has fallen by nearly 25% from the 2017 polls. The contest features a diverse mix: doctors, professionals, housewives, and auto drivers.

The polls will include at least one women-managed ‘pink’ polling station in every ward. These stations will be managed exclusively by women, including all election personnel, police, and security staff.

Several agencies, including municipal school staff, have been deployed for election duty. The police, supported by the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), quick response teams, and riot control units, have put security arrangements in place.

The total number of candidates standing for the BMC polls is 1,700, of which 822 are male, 878 are female, and there are no transgender candidates. The total number of voters is 1.03 crore, with 55 lakh male, 48 lakh female, and 1,099 transgender voters.

A total of 20,000 control units and 25,000 ballot units of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used. The polling places are categorized into enclosed, semi-enclosed, and open areas. In government buildings, there are 2,382 enclosed, 879 semi-enclosed, and 1,143 open polling places. In private buildings, there are 2,693 enclosed, 1,385 semi-enclosed, and 1,047 open polling places. At housing societies, there are 181 enclosed, 312 semi-enclosed, and 209 open polling places, totaling 10,231 booths.

Each ward will have at least one Pink/Sakhi polling station, managed exclusively by women. All election personnel, including police and security staff, will be women. The polling booth manpower includes 12,875 presiding officers, 12,875 assistant presiding officers, 25,750 polling officers, and 12,875 sepoy personnel, totaling 64,375 staff members.

The police deployment includes 10 additional CPs, 38 DCPs, 3,100 other officers, and 25,000 personnel, including one constable per booth. The patrolling vehicles will number 400. Additional security measures include 6,000 home guards and 360 beat marshals.

Transport arrangements include 1,900 Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), 1,160 private buses, 1,023 BEST buses, and 101 MSRTC buses.

Code of conduct violations have resulted in 16 non-cognizable offenses and 13 cognizable offenses, with preventive action taken against 2,896 persons.

The estimated expense for the BMC polls is Rs 200 crore, up from Rs 130 crore in 2017.