Several voters in Mumbai reported inconvenience during the local body elections today after experiencing technical glitches at a few polling booths. Many complaints surfaced about problems with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), including buttons not responding properly and independent candidates’ symbols failing to register votes.
The local elections across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region saw thousands of people turning up early in the morning to cast their votes. The election was expected to be a smooth process, but by mid-morning, voters from some wards started reporting that EVM machines were not functioning correctly. At a few booths, these issues led to temporary delays and a long queue of voters waiting to cast their votes.
According to reports from different polling stations, the main problem involved malfunctioning buttons on the EVMs. Some voters claimed that when they pressed the button for certain candidates, especially independent ones, the light next to the button did not blink, raising doubts about whether their votes were recorded or not. Polling officials, however, assured voters that all complaints were being addressed on the spot and that no vote would be lost in the process.
Election officers in charge of the affected booths immediately informed the district election control room. Replacement EVMs were sent to polling stations where the problem persisted for longer. The officials confirmed that the technical team acted quickly to replace faulty machines within minutes to ensure a smooth continuation of voting.
A few voters told reporters that they had to wait for over half an hour before they could cast their vote. Some elderly citizens, who had come early to avoid the rush, expressed frustration over the delay. Despite these issues, most voters said they were determined to vote and did not leave the polling stations until their votes were cast.
Election authorities stated that the glitches were minor and localised, and voting was not stopped at any booth. They assured that each complaint was properly recorded and action was taken immediately to maintain the transparency of the election process. “We received a few complaints from certain wards in Mumbai regarding EVM malfunctions. Our technical teams responded quickly, and the voting process was restored without delay,” said an election officer supervising one of the central zones.
The Election Commission of Maharashtra also issued a statement acknowledging that such technical issues sometimes occur during polling due to human errors, machine wear and tear, or connectivity problems. The Commission emphasised that the EVMs are regularly inspected and tested before polling, but unexpected issues can occur when thousands of machines are used across hundreds of locations at once.
Political representatives also reacted to the situation. Some candidates expressed concern over the inconvenience caused to voters, particularly regarding reports of unresponsive buttons for independent candidates. A few opponents accused election authorities of negligence, while others urged people to stay patient and exercise their democratic right.
Meanwhile, independent candidates demanded a fair investigation into the complaints. They said malfunctioning buttons could affect public trust in the voting system if not handled transparently. Election officials, in response, gave assurance that every voter’s entry will be double-checked through the control unit data and cross-verified with booth records.
Local citizens’ groups called for stronger pre-election testing of EVMs to prevent such incidents. Some also suggested setting up a rapid response mechanism for future elections so that malfunctioning machines can be replaced within minutes. “Every vote counts, and every voter should have confidence that their vote is registered correctly,” said a resident of Bandra who faced the issue this morning.
By afternoon, most polling booths where technical snags were initially observed had resumed full operations. Volunteers and local administration officers helped maintain order and ensured that senior citizens, women, and first-time voters could vote comfortably.
The voting process continued peacefully throughout the rest of the day. No major law-and-order problems were reported from any part of Mumbai. Police and security personnel maintained strict vigilance to avoid any unwanted incident. Around the city, enthusiasm among voters remained high despite the early disruptions.
Preliminary voter turnout figures indicated strong participation across all zones, suggesting that Mumbai’s citizens were eager to play their part in strengthening local governance. Election officials expect final turnout data to be released later tonight after the completion of polling across all wards.
As counting day approaches, authorities are focusing on ensuring that all EVMs and records are safely transported and sealed under the guidelines of the Election Commission. Political analysts believe this year’s local body election is crucial for Mumbai’s future civic development plans, as it will decide who leads the city’s municipal administration for the next term.
Conclusion
While the EVM technical glitches created short-term difficulties at some polling stations, the quick response from officials helped control the situation effectively. The incident also served as a reminder that continuous improvement in election technology and management is necessary to sustain voter confidence. Mumbai’s polling day ended on a positive note, reflecting the city’s commitment to democracy despite minor setbacks.
