Key Takeaways:
- Mumbai election preparations advance as civic chief Bhushan Gagrani inspects training centres at Lower Parel and Kandivali.
- First phase of training for poll officials has begun at seven centres across the city, with emphasis on voting procedures and EVM handling.
- Officials reviewed Ballot Unit and Control Unit operations, mock polls and polling-day protocols ahead of the 15 January 2026 BMC election.
Mumbai election preparations ramp up as civic chief inspects training centres
Mumbai’s civic chief, Bhushan Gagrani, inspected election training centres at Lower Parel and Kandivali on Tuesday and reviewed the city’s poll preparations ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election on 15 January 2026. The visit formed part of the first phase of training for officers and staff appointed to election duties across the city.
Gagrani attended live training sessions at the N. M. Joshi Marg Municipal School and the Prabodhankar Keshav Sitaram Thackeray Natyagruha. Officials said he examined the arrangements closely, observed demonstrations and gathered details on the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines, including the Ballot Unit and the Control Unit.
Mumbai election preparations and EVM training
The training programme has been organised at seven locations to ensure poll officials are fully prepared to conduct voting efficiently and transparently. Sessions focus on voting procedures, EVM handling, the conduct of mock polls and the sequence of steps to be followed on polling day. The centres are intended to familiarise staff with practical tasks they will perform on 15 January.
The seven training centres named by civic officials are:
- Annabhau Sathe Auditorium, Byculla
- N. M. Joshi Marg Municipal School, Curry Road (Lower Parel)
- Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital Auditorium, Sion (East)
- Balgandharva Auditorium, Link Road, Bandra
- Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Natyagruha, Vile Parle
- Mahakavi Kalidas Natyagruha, Mulund (West)
- Prabodhankar Keshav Sitaram Thackeray Natyagruha, Borivali (West)
Senior election officers joined Gagrani during the inspections. Among those present were Special Officer (Election) Vijay Balamwar, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 7) Sanjay Kurhade, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 2) Prashant Sapkale and Assistant Commissioners Swapnaja Kshirsagar and Praful Tambe. Officials said the presence of senior staff allowed for immediate feedback and on-site adjustments to training methods where necessary.
Training sessions included hands-on demonstrations of the Ballot Unit and Control Unit, step-by-step mock polls to replicate polling-day conditions and briefings on voter assistance, identification checks and queue management. The training also covered contingency measures and protocols to preserve transparency and minimise disruption.
Organisers stressed that the practical nature of the sessions aims to reduce procedural errors and to build confidence among polling staff. Mock polls give teams the chance to practise opening and closing procedures, vote counting set-up and the secure transfer of machines and paperwork at the end of polling.
With the election date set, officials said further phases of training and final operational rehearsals will follow. The review by the civic chief served to confirm that logistics, staffing and equipment familiarisation are proceeding according to schedule. Authorities reiterated their commitment to a smooth voting process and said they will continue monitoring readiness across wards until polling day.
