Nagpur, Jan 15 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, arrived at the polling station on Thursday accompanied by his family to cast their votes in the local body elections.

In a statement to the press, Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasized, "Our democracy serves as a vital cornerstone. Hence, participating in voting is crucial. I encourage each individual who values India’s democracy to step forward and vote."

He added, "Voting is not just a right; it is a responsibility. To ensure effective governance in our democracy, it's imperative that we all vote. That's why I've participated today. I urge everyone to come out in large numbers and not remain at home. Let’s embrace this spirit of democracy!"

Amruta Fadnavis, the Chief Minister’s wife, also spoke to the media, calling on citizens to assert their democratic rights. "Exercising our right to vote is an essential aspect of democracy. I believe everyone should actively participate in the voting process," she stated.

She further advised voters to make informed decisions. "People should reflect before casting their votes and identify who will best drive development. It’s vital to recognize which party is genuinely committed to progress and delivering benefits to citizens," she mentioned to IANS.

BJP spokesperson Asif Bhamla expressed contentment with the smooth execution of the polling process. "I’m pleased to see the electoral proceedings are running efficiently. However, it’s concerning that a significant number of people are not taking full advantage of this opportunity. As a resident of Mumbai, I hope for increased citizen participation as the day unfolds," he remarked.

The Opposition, however, has criticized the ruling alliance, alleging misuse of financial power and holding the State Election Commission (SEC) responsible for voter list management issues.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Leader of Opposition, Ambadas Danve, claimed that the BJP is overwhelmed by its financial resources. After voting in Sambhajinagar, he stated, "I received calls until 4 a.m. regarding how the BJP has distributed money throughout this city. The BJP appears intoxicated and arrogant due to its wealth. They boast of development; if that’s true, why resort to distributing money? They should seek votes based on their performance, yet that has not been the case."

Polling for the 29 municipal corporations commenced at 7:30 a.m. and will continue until 5:30 p.m.

Initially, elections were planned for 2,869 seats, including 227 in the BMC, but polling is now being conducted for 2,801 seats, as 68 candidates were elected unopposed. Voting will not occur for these uncontested positions.

A total of 3.48 crore voters are set to determine the outcomes for 15,931 candidates, including 1,729 candidates in Mumbai. The vote counting will take place on January 16.

The State Election Commission has organized arrangements across 39,147 polling stations, with 43,958 Control Units and 87,916 Ballot Units. In Mumbai, there are 10,111 polling stations equipped with 11,349 Control Units and 22,698 Ballot Units.

These elections are being held after a hiatus of over six years, as the terms of municipal corporations expired between 2020 and 2023. Elections in 28 corporations will be conducted under a multi-member ward system, while Mumbai follows a single-member ward system.