BMC Civic Polls 2026: VVPAT Machines Ruled Out, Confirms Maharashtra State Election Commission

by Webdesk
30 Oct 2025

Source: NDTV

The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has officially clarified that there is currently no legal provision in the existing laws or rules governing local body elections in the state for the use of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines.

This clarification comes amid growing pressure from opposition parties, who have been demanding that upcoming local body elections — including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls — be conducted using VVPATs to enhance transparency and public confidence in the voting process.

Opposition leaders have argued that the introduction of VVPATs would allow voters to verify their choices and ensure accountability in the electoral process. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar recently stated that if the use of VVPAT machines is not technically feasible, then the elections to rural and urban civic bodies should be held using traditional ballot papers instead of relying solely on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Local body elections across Maharashtra, which include municipal corporations, municipal councils, nagar panchayats, zilla parishads, and panchayat samitis, are expected to be completed by January 2026, as per the directives of the Supreme Court.

In its detailed statement issued on Wednesday, the State Election Commission explained that, with very few exceptions, almost all local body elections in Maharashtra are conducted under a multi-member ward system. This structure poses a major technical challenge when it comes to integrating VVPAT machines with the existing EVM setup.

The SEC further elaborated that the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) — a central body comprising representatives from all State Election Commissions across India — is currently studying and evaluating the development of EVM models compatible with VVPAT attachments that can function effectively in multi-member ward systems. However, the committee’s final report has not yet been submitted, making it impossible to deploy such systems for the upcoming elections at this stage.

The Election Commission also noted that while the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in local body elections was legally introduced in 2005 through amendments in various municipal and panchayat acts, no such legal amendment or rule has ever been made for the inclusion of VVPATs in these elections.

The SEC’s statement outlined the legal framework under which these polls are conducted. Local body elections in Maharashtra are held under a combination of long-standing state laws, including:

The Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, which governs the operations of the BMC;

The Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, which covers other major city corporations in the state;

The Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965, which governs smaller urban bodies;

The Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, which lays down the framework for district-level elections; and

The Mumbai Village Panchayats Act, 1958, applicable to rural village governance.

The Commission emphasized that unless these laws are amended to specifically include provisions for VVPATs, the machines cannot be introduced for use in local elections. Any such modification would require legislative approval and subsequent administrative implementation.

Opposition parties, meanwhile, have accused the government and the election authorities of avoiding the use of VVPATs despite their proven success in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, where they have been instrumental in increasing transparency. However, officials within the SEC maintain that the technical complexities of multi-member wards make the introduction of VVPATs far more challenging at the local level than in single-member constituencies.

The Commission assured that it remains committed to ensuring transparency, integrity, and accuracy in all local body elections. It also said that the ongoing studies by the Technical Evaluation Committee will help pave the way for possible future adoption of VVPATs once the systems are fully tested and legally validated.

As Maharashtra gears up for a massive round of local body polls — including the high-stakes BMC election, one of the richest civic bodies in Asia — this clarification from the SEC has sparked renewed debate among political circles. While the Opposition continues to push for additional safeguards like VVPATs or even ballot papers, the State Election Commission insists that it must operate strictly within the framework of existing laws and approved technologies.

For now, the 2026 BMC elections and other civic polls across Maharashtra will continue to rely solely on Electronic Voting Machines, as there is no statutory provision for VVPAT integration. Future elections, however, may see significant technological reforms once the TEC finalizes its recommendations and the state legislature enacts necessary legal changes.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

BMC Civic Polls 2026: VVPAT Machines Ruled Out, Confirms Maharashtra State Election Commission

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