BMC Election results today as vote counting to begin at 10 am

The counting of votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections is set to commence today at 10.00 am at 23 designated counting centres across Mumbai, Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani said.

The vote counting will be conducted strictly in line with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India and the Model Code of Conduct. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said in a statement on Thursday that extensive arrangements have been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the process, including security deployment, traffic regulation and maintenance of law and order across the city. The detailed counting plan has received approval from the Municipal Commissioner.

According to the BMC, 23 Returning Officers have been appointed to oversee the counting process for the city’s 227 election wards. Strong rooms and counting venues under the jurisdiction of each Returning Officer have been identified for the exercise and have secured the required approvals from the Public Works Department and the Police Department.

On Thursday, Gagrani reviewed the counting arrangements along with senior officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Ashwini Joshi, Special Officer (Election) Vijay Balamwar, Deputy Commissioner Vishwas Shankarwar, Additional District Collector (Konkan Division) Farog Mukadam, Assistant Commissioner Gajanan Bellale, Deputy District Collector Mahadev Kirwale, and all 23 Returning Officers.

He stated that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the counting process is transparent, orderly and completed within the stipulated timeframe. Final preparations have been made regarding the layout of counting centres, table planning, staff deployment, CCTV surveillance, fire safety measures and the availability of medical facilities. Coordination with the Police Department has also been ensured to prevent any law-and-order issues during the counting process.

For the counting exercise, a total of 2,299 officers and staff have been deployed, comprising 759 supervisors, 770 assistants and 770 Class IV employees. Officials said that all counting personnel have undergone prior training, as per the statement.

Traffic control measures, parking arrangements and separate enclosures for media personnel have been arranged near the counting centres. A computerised system will be used for tabulation and declaration of results to ensure accuracy and transparency.

Only authorised candidates, their representatives and media personnel carrying valid identity cards issued by the Election Department will be allowed entry into the counting premises. Officials have urged all stakeholders to strictly follow the instructions issued by the Maharashtra State Election Commission.