SEC’s big step—850 housing societies to get their own polling booths for the first time in civic election history

by Webdesk
11 Dec 2025

In a major move aimed at increasing voter participation in Mumbai’s high-profile residential pockets and gated communities, the State Election Commission (SEC) has decided to set up polling booths directly inside housing societies for the upcoming BMC elections. This marks a significant shift in how civic polls are conducted in the city, as nearly 850 polling booths are expected to be installed across various residential complexes. The decision follows the successful experiment undertaken during the November 2024 Assembly elections, where housing-society booths attracted noticeably higher voter turnout.

During the Assembly elections, polling stations were introduced inside several societies for the very first time, and the results spoke for themselves—many locations recorded voting percentages well above the city average. Encouraged by this response, both the SEC and the BMC now hope to create similar momentum in the civic elections. Mumbai has long battled with voter apathy, particularly in affluent neighbourhoods where residents often skip voting for reasons ranging from inconvenience to lack of enthusiasm. For decades, the city’s voting percentage has barely touched the 45% mark. The only exception was in 2017 when it reached 55%, the highest since 1992. Compared to the rest of Maharashtra, Mumbai consistently records much lower turnout.

State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare explained that bringing polling booths closer to citizens—especially within their own residential premises—can significantly improve voter participation. Many residents avoid going out to vote because the polling booth is too far, long queues discourage them, or they simply do not wish to step out of their complexes on a busy day. With a booth inside their building premises or in the society next door, Waghmare believes a large number of such voters will finally step out and cast their vote.

Waghmare also clarified that the SEC will not be involved in selecting the specific locations of these booths. The responsibility has been handed entirely to the BMC. The Commission has placed only one key condition: each polling booth should ideally cater to 800 to 900 voters. Apart from this, the SEC has directed the civic body to ensure seamless access and facilities for senior citizens and people with disabilities, making the election process more inclusive and accessible.

BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said that the list of proposed societies and polling booth locations across Mumbai is currently being prepared and will soon be submitted to the SEC for approval. Most of these locations will be the same ones used during the Assembly elections, with only minor adjustments where necessary. The civic administration is confident that the groundwork done during the previous elections will now serve as a solid foundation for implementing the system effectively in the BMC polls.

The 2024 Assembly elections proved how effective this initiative can be. One notable example is Sahitya Sahawas, the well-known writers’ colony in Kalanagar, Bandra East. The polling booth set up inside the society catered to nearly 1,000 registered voters from the colony and the neighbouring buildings. By the end of the day, the turnout had reached almost 60%, significantly higher than the city’s average. Examples like this reinforce the belief that when citizens are provided convenient and familiar voting locations, their participation naturally improves.

This new approach by the SEC and the BMC reflects a broader attempt to encourage civic engagement in a metropolis where modern lifestyles, long working hours, and travel time often discourage residents from voting. In a city like Mumbai—where a large portion of the population lives in high-rises and gated communities—setting up polling booths within housing societies may prove to be a long-term solution to chronic low turnout. It also ensures better crowd management, easier access to facilities, improved security, and a more organised voting experience.

If implemented successfully, the initiative could potentially reshape Mumbai’s voting pattern in future civic elections. The SEC and BMC are hopeful that the presence of polling booths within residential complexes will not only make voting easier but also create a sense of responsibility and participation among citizens who previously remained aloof. With the city gearing up for one of its most anticipated local elections, this decision may finally bridge the long-standing gap between urban convenience and civic duty.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

SEC’s big step—850 housing societies to get their own polling booths for the first time in civic election history

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