Maharashtra
Attention Mumbaikars! Things To Keep In Mind While Casting Your Vote On November 20, 2024
As Maharashtra gets ready for the forthcoming Assembly Elections, it is crucial for us as residents to exercise our right to vote and choose our preferred candidates with care. Even if you have voted before, you still need to follow the rules and safety measures when going to the polling place and voting. When you go to the voting centre on November 20, remember these things when you vote at your designated election centre.
Things To Check
Check Your Name In Voter’s List
First and foremost, you need to check your name in the voter’s list, without which you would not be allowed in the voting centre premises and therefore will not be able to cast your vote.
Where to check voter registration status?
Voting is allowed only for individuals listed in the Voter List (also called electoral roll). Confirm your name on the list by either:
Accessing the website https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/
If you want to contact the Voter Helpline 1950, please remember to include your STD code before dialling.
Send an SMS to 1950 for EPIC, which stands for Electors Photo Identity Card and is commonly referred to as a voter ID card. If your EPIC number is 12345678, text ECI 12345678 to 1950.
Get the Voter Helpline App on Android and the Voter Helpline App on iOS.
Know Your Candidates
To cast your valuable vote, the most important aspect is to know the candidates electing from your constituency. Voters can visit the Candidate Affidavit Portal, download the Voter Helpline App (Android) and Voter Helpline App (iOS) to see the list of candidates, or simply visit the Election Commission of India (ECI) website to search for constituencies and know your candidates.
What Should You Carry With Yourself?
Following is the list of things you must carry while visiting the voting centre to cast your vote:
EPIC (Voter ID card)
Passport
Driving Licence
Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies
Passbooks with photograph issued by the bank or post office
PAN Card
Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
MNREGA Job Card (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee)
Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour
Pension document with photograph
Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
Aadhaar Card
How Is Voting Process Carried Out?
The initial polling official will verify your name on the voter list and confirm your ID proof.
The second polling official will mark your finger with ink, provide you with a slip, and ask for your signature on a register (Form 17A).
You must hand over the slip to the third polling official, display your inked finger, and then make your way to the polling booth.
Electronic devices such as cell phones, cameras, and other gadgets are prohibited in polling booths.
How Do You Cast Your Vote?
EVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine, and VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), which is machinery inside the polling ballot that helps you cast your vote.
There are several columns on the ballots that help you to recognise candidates, political parties, the serial number given to the candidates, and their image, along with a blue button on the screen.
Cast your vote by pushing the ballot button next to the candidate’s symbol on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM); a beep will confirm your selection.
Verify the ticket visible through the clear window of the VVPAT device. The slip displaying the candidate serial number, name, and symbol will be visible for 7 seconds before being placed in the sealed VVPAT box.
If you are not satisfied with any candidate, you have the option to select NOTA, which stands for None of the Above, located as the final button on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
To get more details, visit the Voter Guide at ecisveep.nic.in.
Regulations To Be Followed
Any individual not participating in election duties is prohibited from entering a 100-meter perimeter around any polling station from 6 am to 12 am on the day of the election.
No loitering, joining assemblies, or forming groups will be permitted on highways, streets, lanes, or any public place near polling stations.
There will be distinct lines for males and females outside polling places. Voters will be allowed entry one by one according to their place in line, with oversight from the presiding officer.
Voters are prohibited from bringing or using mobile phones, wireless devices, or other electronic gadgets within a 100-meter radius of polling stations, unless authorised election or police personnel.
The rules also forbid the positioning of election campaign items like posters or banners within a 100-meter radius of polling booths.
Using loudspeakers or megaphones in this area is prohibited to uphold the integrity of the voting process and avoid influencing voters inappropriately.
Electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets are prohibited inside the voting centre; if you bring them, you must surrender them.
Maharashtra
FDA conducts major raid on cosmetics store in Jogeshwari, seizes unlabeled toilet soap

Mumbai, July 16: A team of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Greater Mumbai Division conducted a major raid at M/s JK Soap Bazaar, 10/11, Qadir Ismail Estate, Near Momin Colony, Patel Estate Road, Jogeshwari (West), Mumbai – 400102. During the operation conducted on July 14, 2026, it was observed that unlabeled toilet soap was being stored and offered for sale in the establishment. The seized soap lacked statutory information like batch/lot number, date of manufacture, ‘first use’ date, manufacturing license number, and name and address of the manufacturer. Selling cosmetics without such mandatory labelling is a violation of the law. During this operation, toilet soap worth about Rs 10,93,692 was seized, and two samples were collected for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation. The accused in this case is Nabiullah and necessary legal action is being initiated against him. “The Food and Drug Administration gives top priority to the protection of the health of citizens. Making any cosmetic product available for sale in the market without labelling as per the law is a very serious matter. It becomes difficult to verify the source, quality and safety of such products. Therefore, strict legal action will be taken against the violating manufacturers, distributors and sellers.” This warning was given by Takaram Mandhe, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra State.
Maharashtra
AIMIM Govindi corporator’s husband Atiq Khan banished from city for a year, makes emotional appeal to public on social media and apologizes

Mumbai: Maharashtra AIMIM leader and husband of a corporator from Govindpura, Atiq Khan, has been banned from the city for one year by the Mumbai Police. In an emotional message on social media, Atiq Khan said that he has been banned from Mumbai city and suburbs for one year, so he will be unable to do pending work or visit the area. If the public or students face educational difficulties due to his absence in the area for one year, he apologizes for it. The police had registered a case against Atiq Khan for violence and rioting, and accordingly, he has been banned, so a complete ban has been imposed on his entry into the area for one year. The ban on this ban will come into effect today. Therefore, Atiq Khan has made a very emotional video and apologized to the public on social media and has also expressed his passion for public service and said that he will continue to serve the public.
Maharashtra
Major hurdle in completion of expansion project in Mumbai railway network, several projects are facing delays due to encroachment on railway lands, RTI reveals

Mumbai: Encroachments on railway land are a major reason for delays in railway projects in Mumbai city. Due to delay in its acquisition, projects have been delayed and their estimates have also increased, this has been revealed in an RTI information filed by RTI activist Anil Gilgali. RTI has revealed that 1,574 encroachments have been identified for two major MRVC rail projects, occupying about 17,000 square meters of land. Information sought by RTI activist Anil Gilgali under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 has revealed that a total of 1,574 encroachments were identified during the acquisition of land for two major rail projects of the Mumbai Rail Development Corporation (MRDC). Out of these, 998 encroachments have been removed so far, while encroachments were found on about 17,068 square meters of land. According to information provided by MRVC to RTI activist Anil Gilgali on July 14, 2026, this information relates to the Kalyan-Badlapur 3rd and 4th rail line projects and the Airoli-Kola elevated corridor project.
Kalyan-Badlapur 3rd and 4th rail line project
According to MRVC, 706 encroachments were identified during the acquisition of land for the 3rd and 4th railway lines of the Central Railway between Kalyan and Badlapur. These include hutments and other structures located on railway land and newly acquired land. Out of these, 620 encroachments have been removed, while encroachments were found on about 9668 square meters of land. MRVC also said that each encroachment occurred in different years, hence it is not possible to identify a specific year. The encroachments identified for the project are located between Kalyan and Badlapur railway stations.
Airoli – Kalwa Elevated Corridor Project.
During land acquisition for the Airoli – Kalwa Elevated Corridor Project, 868 encroachments were identified. These included constructions on railway land and newly acquired land. So far, 378 encroachments have been removed while about 7400 sq m of land was found to be occupied. These encroachments are located between Digha village and Kalwa station. The MRVC also clarified that all the encroachments occurred in different years.
Information on re-encroachments not available
The RTI application also asked in how many areas encroachments were re-established after the encroachments were removed. The MRVC replied that the relevant information was not available.
Anil Gilgali raised important questions.
RTI activist Anil Gilgali said that encroachments have become a serious challenge in railway projects in Mumbai. Encroachments are a major reason for project delays, cost overruns and additional burden on public funds, he said. Mere removal of encroachments is not enough. Railways and MRVC should ensure that no encroachments are created again in the removed areas. Regular monitoring, safeguards and accountability are essential to achieve this.
Gilgali also demanded that information on land acquisition, encroachments, rehabilitation and progress in removal of encroachments for all rail projects be made available on a public portal from time to time, to enhance transparency and provide real-time information to citizens.
He said that availability of land is very important for Mumbai’s rapidly developing rail network. If encroachments are not effectively controlled, many public transport projects in the future may be affected. Therefore, the government, railways and local administration should come together to find a permanent solution.
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