Maharashtra civic elections: Here is what is open and closed today in Mumbai during BMC polls

Voting in 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra began on Thursday morning with spotlight on Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is locked in an intense battle with the reunited Thackeray cousins for control of India's largest and richest civic body.

Polling for 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards in these municipal corporations began amid tight security at 7.30 am and will conclude at 5.30 pm. A total of 3.48 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 15,931 candidates.

As Mumbai goes for polling, here is what will be open and closed today:

What is closed?

• The financial markets will be closed today. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) suspended trading for the day.

• Most banks, including public and private ones will be closed today. However, ATMs will be open.

• Most schools and colleges have been declared holiday today.

• All wine shops and bars, restaurants will be prohibited from serving alcohol to customers today, till the poll results are announced, as per the ruling by Bombay High Court.

What is open?

• Public transport including local trains, metro, buses will be operational today.

• Emergency services, hospitals, pharmacies will be open today.

• Retail outlets like grocery stores, milk booths will be open. However, many private offices have granted leave to employees or an option to work from home.

• Malls and theatres will be operational today, however they will only be opened at noon.

In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), whose annual budget is over Rs 74, 400 crore, 1,700 candidates are vying for 227 seats in elections being held after nine years, after a four-year delay. More than 25,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai to oversee elections.

(With PTI inputs)