Mumbai: In one of the most important polls in the history of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), more than 91 lakh voters in the city will decide on Tuesday who will rule the richest civic body in the country.
Candidates from various political parties and independents numbering 2,275 will be contesting from 227 wards, for which 7,304 polling booths have been set up across the city. Of them, 705 booths are sensitive in nature, including 17 hyper-sensitive booths.
All the hyper-sensitive booths are located in ward no 221 and 224, which consists of Dongri, Mandanpura and Nagpada areas.
“Along with tight police bandobust, we have also decided to install close circuit television (CCTV) cameras at these booths to ensure smooth conduct of elections,” said a senior civic official.
“Mumbaikars should exercise their right of franchise and ensure their participation in the democratic process,” said BMC chief Ajoy Mehta. The voting timing is from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm.
However, on the backdrop of poor voter turnout, Mumbaikars face the challenge of improving the voting percentage this year. While the average voters’ turnout in the 2012 polls was just 45 per cent, city can expect higher response this time considering the improved turnout in 2014 Assembly polls (55 per cent) and 2014 Lok Sabha polls (53 per cent).
Only those, who have their names in the voter’s list of Election Commission of India by January 5, 2017, will be able to exercise their right of franchise. The list is available on the municipal website www.mcgm.gov.in. People can also find the polling booth with the help of their name on the website https://localbodyvoterlist.maharashtra.gov.in.
The State Election Commission has also made a mobile app called ‘True Voter’ to enable people find their polling booth for casting their votes. In addition to this, another website https://operationblackdot.in, made with help of a private agency, is also available to find the polling booth by the voter’s name.
