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Mumbai Civic Polls: Pink Booths for Women, Senior Citizen Aid in BMC Elections

South Mumbai Returning Officer Krishna Jadhav has detailed special arrangements for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, including 'pink booths' entirely staffed by women and teams to assist senior citizens. The polls, held on January 15, cover 227 wards with over 1 crore eligible voters. The elections are a critical test for the Thackeray brothers, Raj and Uddhav, following the Shiv Sena's split, as they fight to regain political prestige. The outcome will also gauge the enduring influence of the Thackeray name in Mumbai's political landscape.

Key Points: BMC Polls: Mumbai's Pink Booths & Voter Encouragement Efforts

  • Pink polling booths staffed entirely by women
  • Special assistance teams for senior citizens
  • High-stakes battle for Thackeray brothers
  • Over 1 crore voters eligible in Mumbai
  • Voting across 227 wards on January 15
2 min read

"Making every effort to encourage voters": Returning Officer Krishna Jadhav on BMC poll preparations

Mumbai's Returning Officer details special arrangements for women and senior citizens as the city votes in crucial BMC elections on January 15.

"We encourage voters to come and cast their votes. We are making every effort to ensure this. - Krishna Jadhav"

Mumbai, January 15

Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, South Mumbai Returning Officer Krishna Jadhav requested the people of Mumbai to cast their votes, asserting that the officials are making every effort.

The South Mumbai Returning Officer also discussed the arrangements made to ensure a smooth voting experience for voters in the municipal polls.

Speaking to ANI, Jadhav said, "We have a team in place that will assist senior citizens. They will take them to the voting compound...We encourage voters to come and cast their votes. We are making every effort to ensure this. For women, we have created pink booths. The pink polling station means that all the staff working at that booth will be women. The polling station will be decorated in pink, and the women working at that polling station will also wear pink sarees. So, we have introduced this new activity for the people here."

Meanwhile, Maharashtra is gearing up for massive civic polls across 29 municipal corporations, including the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The stakes are high for the Thackeray brothers, as well as the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, following the ruling Mahayuti's resounding victory in last year's assembly elections.

The voting for these corporations will be held on January 15, and the votes will be counted on January 16. In the capital city, Mumbai, voting will take place in 227 wards, with approximately 1,700 candidates in the fray.

A total of 1,03,44,315 citizens are eligible to vote in the BMC polls. Of these, 55,16,707 are male voters, 48,26,509 are female voters, and the number of other voters is 1,099.

The undivided Shiv Sena was a strong force in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. It won 84 seats contesting in alliance with the BJP, which won 82 seats. However, the tables have turned this time following Shiv Sena's split in 2022. For the Thackeray brothers, Raj and Uddhav, these local body polls are a fight for regaining lost prestige. It will also test if the Thackeray surname still carries as much weight as it once did in the city and the state.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
All these arrangements are good, but what about the basic issues? My area still has potholes and water problems. I will vote for the candidate who talks about solving these, not just about pink sarees and decorations. Actions speak louder than symbols.
A
Arjun K
The focus should be on the massive 1.03 crore voters and the future of Mumbai. The split in Shiv Sena has made this election very interesting. It's a direct test for both Thackeray brothers. As a citizen, my vote will go for development, not just a surname.
S
Sarah B
Assisting senior citizens is a very thoughtful and necessary measure. My grandparents often feel hesitant to go out. Having a dedicated team to help them exercise their right is commendable. Hope other cities learn from Mumbai's preparations.
V
Vikram M
BMC elections are crucial for Mumbaikars. The corporation handles our daily life—from roads to water. I appreciate the efforts to encourage voting, but the real effort should be in ensuring transparent counting and no malpractices. That's what builds trust.
M
Meera T
While the pink booth is a nice gesture, I hope the focus on women's participation goes beyond saree color. We need more women candidates with a clear vision for the city's infrastructure and safety. That's the real empowerment. Let's see who steps up.

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