Voting for the 2026 Municipal Corporation Elections in Maharashtra began on Thursday. Several film and music celebrities cast their votes at polling stations, encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote. Citing issues like safety, cleanliness, pollution, road improvements, and development as important, they urged people to choose the right candidates.
Actress Divya Dutta, after casting her vote, said that voting is the biggest responsibility in a democracy. She said that people should come out of their homes and vote and make their voices heard by politicians. According to Divya Dutta, pollution is the biggest issue facing the city right now, and it is important to vote thoughtfully to control it.
Actress Hema Malini also cast her vote this morning and urged citizens to cast their votes. She said this day is crucial for Mumbai and that everyone should take responsibility and go to the polling booth if they want safety, cleanliness, good air, pothole-free roads, and development in the city.
Actor Ejaz Khan expressed concern about the city’s road problems after casting his vote. He said that frequent digging and repairs cost a lot of money, so it’s crucial to choose the right candidate this time. He especially urged Gen-G voters to vote enthusiastically and use their numerical strength.
Avinash Gowarikar, brother of director and actor Ashutosh Gowarikar, described the voting arrangements as satisfactory, but expressed concern about the lack of voting slips. He said that while the lack of slips was causing delays for many voters, he was heartened by the public’s enthusiasm, demonstrating that people were serious about their duties.
Musician Vishal Dadlani also cast his vote and urged citizens to take responsibility for their city and country. He expressed hope that whoever wins will fulfill their election promises on time. He called for attention to clean air and water, calling them basic necessities of life.
Actor Junaid Khan said that everyone should vote to bring about change. Lyricist Gulzar , meanwhile, said that voting is a means to strengthen the roots of democracy. He also said that if someone doesn’t vote, they shouldn’t have the right to complain.
Actor Sunil Shetty, after casting his vote, described it as a responsibility, saying that people often complain about the BMC, but today they should vote and contribute to a solution. This time, voting is taking place for 2,869 seats across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra . Approximately 34.8 million voters will use their votes to decide the political future of 15,931 candidates .