BMC Polls End in Mumbai Ink Controversy: Mahayuti Leads Exit Polls Amid Viral Wipe-Off Videos
The counting of votes cast in the BMC will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, starting at 10 am. It will be conducted across 23 counting rooms, at various locations.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) January 15: Voting concludes at the polls in Maharashtra's BMC, with Mumbai fighting an existential battle for control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
A row broke out during the polling because marker ink rather than an ink that was “indelible” may have been used to mark voters’ fingers to indicate that they cast their vote.
Ink Drama Sparks Outrage at Polls
Viral videos of people shedding ink from hands after casting their vote are being probed as authorities are called into the process, Maharashtra SEC Dinesh Waghmare said, adding that action would be in place against the dissemination of false narratives. The SEC added that removing ink from a voter’s finger is an “offence,” saying it was an “offence” to take the ink off their finger.
‘’The viral videos of the marker ink being wiped off are being investigated and case will be filed against those trying to spread a fake narrative,’’ he said.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), however, rejected reports that the ink marks on voters’ fingers were being wiped off.
BJP Demands Crackdown on Bogus Voting
BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar called for a vigorous crackdown on those trying to wipe off ink from their fingers after exercising their franchise on the grounds that they were attempting to engage in so-called fake voting while weakening the sanctity of the electoral process themselves.
Shelar said, “People who are wiping off ink are attempting bogus voting. A criminal case must be registered against them and a thorough probe should be conducted. Strict action is necessary to protect the sanctity of elections and to ascertain the real motive behind creating confusion over the ink.”
Exit Polls Predict Mahayuti Sweep
Three exit polls put the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance at a crucial advantage in the BMC elections slated to take place in Mumbai. Assessment from Axis My India, JVC and Sakal surveys highlight the ruling coalition’s strong track record.
According to the exit poll, the Mahayuti is projected to win between 131 and 151 seats (at least according to the Axis My India exit poll).
The JVC poll anticipates that the alliance will get more seats: 138, while Sakal forecasts a slightly lower but still clear majority of 119.
Voter Turnout Hits 46-50%, Counting Tomorrow
The State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare predicted that voter turnouts overall are in the 46-50% range - more than the 2017 civic polls. According to SEC data, the voter turnout was 41.08% on statewide election day.
The 227 municipal wards have been given 23 Election Decision Officers. Counting will start at 10 am, January 16, as previously announced by the State Election Commission, Maharashtra. A strong room and counting venue have been confirmed for each Election Decision Officer's office.
