Voting Process Change: One voter, four votes! Why will voters have to vote 4 times? Know the complete process

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In this year's municipal elections, voting will not be completed by pressing the button just once!” This is the experience many voters will have. Because the method of voting has changed in the elections of January 2026. Unlike usual, standing in front of the EVM and pressing the button once will not complete the voting this time. If you mistakenly give one less vote, your entire vote can be invalidated. Therefore, it is extremely important to know these rules before going to the polling station. Voters will experience a different method of how to register a vote and how many times to press the button on the EVM in the municipal elections.

What is a multi-member election?

A multi-member election means that not one but four councilors will be elected from a single ward. According to the ward structure, there will be a panel of four candidates in one ward, and voters will have to vote separately for all four candidates. In the previous system, only one councilor was elected from a ward. At that time, it was a simple process of one voter, one candidate, and one vote. However, in the new system, since four councilors will be elected from one ward, it is mandatory to cast all four votes.

Voters have been given complete freedom while voting. Voters can vote for candidates from four different parties or for all four candidates from one party. There are no conditions or restrictions in this. If you do not wish to vote for any of the four candidates, the 'NOTA' option is also available. Finally, after voting for the seats, a buzzer will sound from the EVM. This sound ensures that you have successfully completed the voting process for all four seats. Therefore, it is every voter's duty to vote calmly and with full information on the day of voting without any confusion.