Mumbai Elects: Celebrities and Politicians Lead the Way

The elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation saw 30% voter turnout by 1:30 pm as prominent political figures and Bollywood stars cast their votes, encouraging public participation. With 1,700 candidates contesting, the polling began early amidst tight security, highlighting differing voter engagement across Mumbai's wards.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections witnessed significant participation with approximately 30% of eligible voters casting their ballots by 1:30 pm on Thursday. The voting exercise saw enthusiastic participation from notable political figures and Bollywood celebrities, who led by example and encouraged others to vote.

Polling data indicated varying levels of voter engagement across the city. Ward No. 114 in the eastern suburbs demonstrated the most keen voter interest with a turnout of 41.08%, while Ward No. 227 in South Mumbai experienced a low turnout of just 11.24% in the first six hours.

The electoral process for India's largest civic body, featuring over 1,700 candidates, commenced at 7:30 am with stringent security measures in place. High-profile voters included political leaders like Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and Bollywood figures such as Akshay Kumar and Sachin Tendulkar.

(With inputs from agencies.)