Nagpur: Campaigning for the January 15 Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections will draw to a close at 5.30 pm on Tuesday, ushering in the mandatory 48-hour silence period. Political parties and candidates will use the final hours to make last-ditch efforts to reach voters, after which campaigning must cease and candidates are expected to switch to closed-door meetings. Meanwhile, the civic administration has said it is fully prepared to conduct the polls.
As many as 993 candidates are contesting for 151 corporator seats spread across 38 wards of the NMC. Since the campaign began on January 3, the city has witnessed intense political activity, with the BJP, Congress, BSP, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, AAP, MNS and Independents holding rallies, public meetings and padyatras across wards.
Municipal Commissioner and Chief Election Officer Abhijeet Chaudhari said the election machinery was ready in all respects. Addressing the media on Monday, he said polling would be held from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm on Thursday, January 15. Counting of votes will commence at 10 am on January 16, with trends and results expected to emerge from around 12.30 pm onwards.
Gold Rate
13 Jan 2026
Chaudhari pointed out that the civic polls were conducted under a compressed schedule. Although the NMC elections were due in March 2022, they were announced only on December 15, while the final list of candidates was released on January 3, leaving just 10 days for active campaigning.
He said distribution of polling materials would begin on January 14. Polling personnel have already completed two rounds of training, including handling of electronic voting machines (EVMs), while counting staff will also undergo two rounds of training. All polling stations have been equipped with basic amenities for voter convenience. Officials warned that strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct would continue during the silence period and any violations would invite stringent action.
The BJP led in the number of large public meetings, with Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and actor-MP Manoj Tiwari addressing gatherings across the city. The Congress countered with rallies and meetings addressed by senior leaders and MLAs Vijay Wadettiwar, Nana Patole, Vikas Thakre and MLC Abhijeet Wanjari, while NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Praful Patel campaigned in select wards.
The campaign was marked by sharp exchanges between BJP and Congress leaders. Both parties released their manifestos, with the BJP doing so on Sunday. For the first time, the BJP faced the challenge of rebels in the civic polls, while the Congress claimed to have persuaded dissidents to back official candidates. In the BSP, the absence of star campaigners meant candidates largely campaigned on their own. Mohalla meetings and door-to-door outreach were held by all parties, with both the BJP and Congress claiming public support.
The final day of campaigning on Tuesday is expected to see a surge in voter outreach, with candidates planning early-morning padyatras and intensive door-to-door interactions to reach every household. Senior BJP and Congress leaders remained actively involved on the ground. Chief Minister Fadnavis, in particular, focused on Nagpur in recent days, addressing public meetings and interacting with voters through programmes such as “Tarri Poha with Devabhau”.
A major roadshow is scheduled for Tuesday, covering Bharat Mata Chowk, Teen Nal Chowk, Shaheed Chowk, Tanga Stand Chowk, Gandhi Statue, Pandit Bachharaj Chowk, Mahal Chowk and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue (Mahal). On Monday, Union minister Nitin Gadkari also took part in voter interactions under the programme “Chana Poha with Nitinji”.
Nearly Rs 42 lakh seized
As part of strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, authorities have so far seized cash amounting to Rs 12.9 lakh, liquor worth Rs 9.47 lakh (2,323.9 litres), and narcotic substances weighing 47.44 kg valued at Rs 19.98 lakh. Surveillance teams also confiscated weapons, indicating attempts to influence voters. The total value of seizures has reached nearly Rs 42 lakh.
Counting arrangements
Counting will begin at 10 am on January 16 at 10 zonal counting centres, one in each administrative zone of Nagpur. Each returning officer will have 20 tables for EVM counting and four tables for postal ballots. Every table will be manned by a counting supervisor and an assistant. Media centres have been set up at all counting venues, and counting for all wards will begin simultaneously.
Webcasting at 255 polling stations
Webcasting will be conducted at 255 of the city’s 3,004 polling stations on polling day to enable real-time monitoring of activities inside booths.
No home voting for senior citizens
Unlike the Assembly elections, home voting for senior citizens above 85 years and bedridden voters will not be available in the municipal polls, as clear directions from the State Election Commission are yet to be issued.
Finding your polling station
Voters can locate their polling station by visiting the NMC website and entering their name, EPIC number and ward details under the ‘Voter Path’ section.
