By Sagarika Rastogi
The PCMC elections were held on 15 January, 2026 while the results will be announced today 16 January, 2026. There are 17,27,692 voters who will elect 32 ward members across the city. In total there are 128 seats with each ward having to elect 4 corporators.
Despite a long hiatus of 9 years, the turnout was far from impressive. The PCMC turnout fell to almost 60% from 65.3% in 2017. Many voters and political analysts cited the dropout due to confusion over the 4 member ward system, last minute shifting of loyalty of certain candidates to certain parties, etc.
One of the interesting features of this election is the alliance between NCP Ajit Pawar and NCP Sharad Pawar. Both the parties would compete on their respective symbols with NCP AP competing on the clock while NCP SP on man blowing a trumpet.
There were multiple issues in this election, with some citing the absence of VVPAT while others citing lack of a moral code of conduct when polling booth representatives asked to vote for a specific candidate. “When I reached, they practically told me to vote for a particular person,” said Amey Ajgar, a 19 year old student from MIT-WPU.
Last election (2017) was led by BJP having secured 75 seats while the National Congress Party 37. The exit polls for PCMC have predicted a victory for BJP.