Mumbai BMC polls: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut flags missing voter names, EVM glitches; questions BJP-Election Commission meet

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday highlighted serious issues with the ongoing civic elections in Mumbai, citing missing voter names and malfunctioning voting machines.Speaking to the media, Raut said, “The voting pattern that has been going on in a city like Mumbai is a serious matter. Names of thousands of people, who have even voted in the Assembly elections, are missing in areas where Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS or Congress. The EVM machine does not work properly. The Election Commission is not ready to listen to us.”Raut added that a meeting between senior BJP leaders and Election Commission staff was held recently, questioning its timing. “Why was this meeting held when the Code of Conduct is still in place?” he asked. He further criticized the release of exit polls during voting. “The exit polls arrived even before the voting percentage. The BJP started celebrating its victory. We have assured the people not to be afraid,” Raut said.The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader’s statements come amid growing concerns about voter access and technical glitches in the municipal polls, with several parties calling for closer monitoring of the electoral process in Mumbai.Earlier on Thursday, Sanjay Raut launched a strong critique of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have joined forces for “money and power.”Raut said the political atmosphere in Mumbai has shifted noticeably in recent days, with voters becoming increasingly aware of their right to vote. He further asserted that the Mahayuti does not prioritize Marathi identity, which, he said, is the reason why Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have come together to safeguard Marathi interests."Three political parties have come together purely for power and money; Marathi identity is not part of their agenda. That is why Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have united on a single platform to protect Marathi interests," Raut said while addressing a press conference here.(With agency inputs)