BMC Polls Marred by Missing Names as Voters Forced to Go Booth Hopping Across MMR
Mumbai: Voting in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic elections turned into a frustrating ordeal for thousands across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region on Thursday, as voters found their names missing from polling booths, forcing many to move from one centre to another — often unsuccessfully.
Forest Minister Ganesh Naik spent nearly an hour locating his booth in Koparkhairane, calling the arrangements a “mess.” Similar complaints poured in from Bandra, Powai, Lalbaug, Mulund, Kalina, Goregaon, Borivli and Vasai-Virar.
Voters reported arriving at their regular booths only to be told their names were missing or shifted elsewhere, with no clear guidance provided.
Mismatch, Duplicate Entries and Booth Shifts
Officials said voter slip distribution was largely completed, but residents told a different story. Many cited mismatches between online electoral rolls and booth registers, wrong serial numbers, duplicate names, and sudden booth changes without communication.
Senior citizens and first-time voters were among the worst affected. Several elderly voters said they made multiple trips between polling centres, while many young voters returned home without casting their ballots.
Political workers from Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS raised objections at several booths, alleging voters were denied their right despite details appearing on official websites.
Candidates Flag Serious Lapses
Candidates across parties blamed poor turnout not on voter apathy but administrative failure. Several alleged outdated voter lists, lack of staff training, and confusion caused by the use of assembly-election rolls instead of updated civic lists.
In Vasai-Virar, multiple candidates said dozens of voters per ward returned home after failing to locate their names despite valid documents.
Our Thoughts
Voting is the foundation of democracy, and when citizens are forced to search for their own names across booths, trust in the system takes a hit. The widespread confusion during the BMC polls raises serious questions about preparedness, voter list accuracy, and communication — issues that must be urgently addressed before results are declared.