The Maharashtra Government has officially declared January 15 as a public holiday in view of the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections across the state. The holiday will apply to 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts governed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The decision has been taken under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, with powers delegated to the state government through a 1968 notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The move aims to ensure maximum voter participation by allowing citizens adequate time to exercise their democratic right.
Among the civic bodies going to the polls, the BMC holds particular political and administrative significance, as it governs India’s financial capital and manages an annual budget exceeding ₹74,000 crore, making it one of the richest municipal corporations in the country.
Elections to the BMC and 28 other civic bodies will be held on January 15, with counting of votes and declaration of results scheduled for the following day. The outcome of these elections is expected to have a significant impact on Maharashtra’s political landscape.
