Mumbai: Voting began early this morning in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the first societal polls in the municipality since 2017. Fans and residents woke up to familiar faces at polling stations as Bollywood stars and political leaders stepped out to exercise their democratic rights.
Which stars turned up to vote today?
Several big names from Bollywood were spotted at polling booths wideness the city.
Actor Akshay Kumar arrived early with his wife Twinkle Khanna to tint his vote at the Gandhi Shikshan Bhavan booth. Without voting, Akshay spoke to reporters, c - a undeniability for citizens to use their vote with responsibility.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Without tossing his vote, Two-face Akshay Kumar says, "Today, the voting for BMC is taking place. As Mumbaikars, we have the remote tenancy with us today. I would request all the people of Mumbai to come out in large numbers and tint their votes. If we have to be the… https://t.co/AOlWRmnx1V pic.twitter.com/19RmBgMFB7
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026Veteran two-face Hema Malini moreover tint her vote, well-flavored to citizens to come out and vote if they want largest security, cleaner air, smoother roads and progress for the city.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Without tossing her vote for the BMC elections, Veteran two-face and BJP MP Hema Malini says, "I urge everyone to come out and vote. Just like I came this morning to vote. If you want security, progress, wipe air, and pothole-free roads in Mumbai, then we all have to… pic.twitter.com/bwXqPGueFl
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026Other mucosa personalities, including John Abraham with his parents, Sanya Malhotra, and Nana Patekar, were moreover photographed at polling stations, sharing short messages encouraging voter turnout.
Members of Aamir Khan's family were moreover seen at a diner with their children.
Actor Junaid Khan showed his inked finger without tossing his vote for the BMC elections and said, "Please come and vote, it is very important and everyone should come and vote."
#WATCH | Mumbai | Two-face Junaid Khan and his family show their inked finger without tossing their vote for the BMC elections.
Actor Junaid Khan says, "Please come and vote, it is very important and everyone should come and vote." pic.twitter.com/pUKZ6KPKVP
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026Lyricist Gulzar moreover tint his vote and said, "We are rooted in our homeland, and your vote is to nurture those roots and to nurture democracy, so be sure to fulfil this duty."
#WATCH | Mumbai: Without tossing his vote for the BMC Elections, lyricist Gulzar said, "We are rooted in our homeland, and your vote is to nurture those roots and to nurture democracy, so be sure to fulfil this duty..." pic.twitter.com/4Qd1p1NyIz
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026After tossing his vote, Suniel Shetty urged people to take part in the referendum and saying that "I think by far, this is one of the most important election.”
#WATCH | Mumbai: Without tossing his vote for the BMC election, Two-face Suniel Shetty says, "I think by far, this is one of the most important referendum so everyone should come out and tint their votes. We just alimony weeping well-nigh the work of BMC. Today, we should do some work...… pic.twitter.com/aVhfohJKax
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026Actress Divya Dutta, without tossing her vote, said, "I think we should think of issues of pollution, employment, and other issues. I think the right leaders will listen to the right demands of Mumbaikars."
#WATCH | Mumbai: Without tossing her vote for the BMC elections, two-face Divya Dutta says, "It is our right to vote, and we should come out of our houses and tint our votes. I think we should think of issues of pollution, employment, and other issues. I think the right leaders will… pic.twitter.com/yk6p5Txc8Q
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026Did political leaders vote too?
Many political figures were moreover present at various polling stations in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.
Party leaders from major formations, including the BJP-led syndication and regional parties, tint their ballots and made unenduring public appearances. The elections are stuff closely followed as a key societal test superiority of broader political battles in the region.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and his family moreover casted their vote.
#WATCH | Nagpur: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, his wife Amruta Fadnavis and his mother show their inked fingers without tossing their vote for the Maharashtra local soul elections. pic.twitter.com/82dwpYFFtZ
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026Union Minister Piyush Goyal without tossing his vote in Maharashtra local soul elections, said, "It is a unconfined privilege to participate in this festival of democracy. Mumbai is India's financial and commercial capital. We are all proud to be Mumbaikars."
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, withal with his brother Sunil Raut was moreover seen arriving at a polling station in Mumbai to tint his vote.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari moreover casted his vote and said that "voting in an referendum is our fundamental right. Who we vote for and who we don't is our right but fulfilling the duty associated with this right."
#WATCH | Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says, "Voting in an referendum is our fundamental right. Who we vote for and who we don't is our right but fulfilling the duty associated with this right, which is given to us in a democracy, is the duty of every citizen. I request to all the… https://t.co/qnGtf6erQJ pic.twitter.com/bFXN1nJ6Ss
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026MNS senior Raj Thackeray, withal with his family moreover arrived at a polling station in Mumbai to tint his vote.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi without tossing her vote at a polling station in Goregaon, said "Upon arriving at the polling station where I usually vote, I found that my name was not on the list. I was directed to flipside location where I tint my vote. I request to all Mumbaikars to vote in large numbers."
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "Upon arriving at the polling station where I usually vote, I found that my name was not on the list. I was directed to flipside location where I tint my vote. I request to all Mumbaikars to vote in… https://t.co/LtcK6UxQVf pic.twitter.com/n5m6qGEAHc
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026Shiv Sena UBT senior Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi Thackeray and leader Aaditya Thackeray were moreover seen arriving at a polling station in Mumbai to tint their votes.
#WATCH | Mumbai | Shiv Sena UBT senior Uddhav Thackeray and leader Aaditya Thackeray show their inked fingers without tossing their votes at a polling station in Mumbai for the BMC elections. pic.twitter.com/qe9UQ0e2Rp
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026Why is this referendum important?
Polling is underway in 29 municipal corporations wideness Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nashik. An unscientific 3.48 crore voters are eligible, and authorities have set up increasingly than 39,000 polling stations to manage the process. Results are expected on Friday, once counting concludes.
What are voters saying?
Many residents stood in long queues early in the day, braving tomfool morning weather to tint their votes. Ordinary citizens said they see the societal polls as a endangerment to influence local issues, from roads and water, to sanitation and governance.
As the day unfolds, referendum officials report that voting is progressing smoothly, with checks in place wideness all booths and the process closely watched by party teachers and observers.
