The campaign for the municipal elections in the state is currently in its final stage, and the political atmosphere is heated. Prominent leaders from the ruling and opposition parties have entered the campaign battlefield, with public meetings, roadshows, marches, and meetings with activists taking place everywhere. Candidates are making strong efforts to reach voters, and the campaign has gained significant momentum. As a result, the election atmosphere appears to be quite vibrant.
On the other hand, the Election Commission and the state administration have also accelerated preparations to smoothly conduct the voting process. Preparations for all aspects such as EVM machines, polling station planning, staff appointments, security arrangements, and transport management are almost complete. The administration has stated that all necessary precautions are being taken for peaceful and transparent voting.
Meanwhile, with the aim of increasing the voter turnout, the state government has taken a major decision. A public holiday has been declared in 29 municipal areas across the state, including Mumbai, on the day of the municipal elections to be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026. An official notification regarding this has been issued by the state government, and this decision is being welcomed from all quarters.
According to this notification, all government, semi-government offices, corporations, boards, and public enterprises in the respective municipal areas will have a holiday. Notably, employees who are working outside their original municipal constituency for employment or work purposes will also be granted this public holiday for voting. This will allow more voters to have time to vote.
Additionally, offices of the central government, banks, semi-government offices, and similar establishments in municipal areas have been given a public holiday on the day of voting. Municipalities where public holidays are applicable include Brihanmumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar, Panvel, Nashik, Malegaon, Ahilyanagar, Jalgaon, Dhule, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded-Waghala, Parbhani, Jalna, Latur, Amravati, Akola, Nagpur, and Chandrapur.
Voting is the festival of democracy, and every citizen should exercise their right to vote, as urged by the administration. It is believed that the voting percentage will increase due to the public holiday, and it is expected that a large number of voters will come out to vote this time.