Mumbai: Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, in a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, S. Chockalingam, alleged major contradictions in electoral data released by election officials regarding form distribution, untraceable voters, and death-related deletions in Mumbai during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list.

Somaiya, who uploaded the letter dated August 16 on X on Monday, highlighted discrepancies between claimed form distribution rates and reported untraceable voters across the city’s districts. Urging immediate review, Somaiya requested the Chief Electoral Officer’s attention and necessary corrections to resolve these discrepancies.

“State election officials declared a distribution rate of over 99 per cent across Maharashtra. Specifically, the Mumbai City Collectorate reported 99.99 per cent form distribution, while the Mumbai Suburban Collectorate reported 99.96 per cent. Simultaneously, data from the Collectorates, District Election officials, and the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner’s office reveals that 11.73 per cent of voters in Mumbai Suburban and 9.72 per cent in Mumbai City District remain untraceable. Somaiya questioned how near-100 per cent distribution could occur when around 12 per cent of addresses or voters cannot be traced,” said Somaiya in his letter.

The letter also pointed out significant disparities in electoral roll deletions due to death across different constituencies comprising Mankhurd: 2.91 per cent, Anushakti Nagar: 2.6 per cent, Mahim: 7.72 per cent, Byculla: 6.71 per cent and Shivadi: 6.26 per cent.

Somaiya’s letter comes days after Chockalingam shared updated metrics on the SIR.

Across the state, details for over 1.8 crore voters (about 18.46 per cent of the electorate) remained categorised as “uncollectable”.

Mumbai accounts for a significant portion of the uncollected data, with nearly 30.8 lakh voters (approx. 29.6 per cent of the electorate across Mumbai City and Suburban districts) listed in this category. High proportions of uncollectable entries were noted in constituencies undergoing large-scale redevelopment or containing high migrant populations (such as Sion Koliwada, Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar, Worli, Malabar Hill, and Mumbadevi).

The Chief Electoral Officer explained that the “uncollectable” status primarily applies to electors under the ASDD categories — Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate. He noted that higher rates of uncollectable entries in urban hubs like Mumbai and neighbouring Thane are standard compared to national trends due to frequent address changes, migration, and daily commuting patterns.

The CEO emphasised that having uncollected status during household enumeration does not mean a voter is permanently excluded without recourse. While untraced entries will not appear on the initial draft electoral list, electors and Booth Level Agents are encouraged to submit the required forms to ensure legitimate eligible voters are properly updated or included.

Mumbai, Aug 16: An Indian Navy sailor, his wife and their two minor children were found dead at their residence in Navy Nagar, Colaba, in south Mumbai, police said.

The incident was reported on August 15. According to preliminary information from the police, the sailor is suspected to have died by suicide, while the deaths of his wife and two children, aged two months and three years, are suspected to have resulted from poisoning. The exact circumstances surrounding the deaths are yet to be established.

Police said a post-mortem examination is being conducted and further investigation is underway. The findings of the post-mortem and other aspects of the investigation are expected to help establish the cause and sequence of the deaths.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Manish Kalwaniya said a prima facie investigation indicated that the sailor had died by hanging, while poisoning appeared to be the cause of death of his wife and children.

The Indian Navy has also confirmed the incident and said it is extending assistance to the investigation.

“In an unfortunate incident at Navy Nagar, Colaba, an Indian Navy sailor along with his wife and 2 children have been found dead at their residence on 15 Aug 26. Investigation is in progress by the Police and the Indian Navy is extending all possible assistance towards the same,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.

The incident has prompted an investigation by both the police and the Navy. Officials are examining the circumstances that preceded the deaths and other relevant evidence as part of the probe.

The identities of the deceased have not been disclosed in the information available so far.

Authorities are continuing their investigation, while the post-mortem examination is underway to determine the precise causes of death.

Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.

To simplify the process of obtaining necessary permission for constructing Mumbai Mandap Marmiya, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has once again made available an online single window system for public Ganesh Chaturthi Mandals in Mumbai. A computerised system has been enabled on the website of the Municipal Corporation for granting permission for construction of temporary
Mandap during the public Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The system has been made available for online use from Friday, August 14, 2026.

Moreover, since the hearing regarding public Ganesh Chaturthi is currently underway. The Mandals are bound by the orders passed by the court and the permission is being granted in compliance with these instructions.

Public Ganesh Chaturthi Mandals will have to submit their applications for permission for Mandap through the BMC website (https://portal.mcgm.gov.in) labeled ‘Mandap for Citizens (Public Ganesh Chaturthi/Other Festivals)’. The applications will be scrutinised by the concerned ward office on receipt. Thereafter, the process of obtaining ‘No Objection Certificates’ (NOCs) from the concerned local police and traffic police will be done through a computerised system. The entire process will be implemented under the guidance of the Divisional Assistant Commissioner and Zonal Deputy Commissioner.

Procedure for New Mandals
Mandals applying for the first time to construct a public Ganesh Chaturthi Mandap* (marquee) on government or private land will have to submit an online application through the website of the Municipal Corporation. After scrutiny of the application by the Divisional Office and obtaining NOC from the local and traffic police, the application will be submitted to the Zonal Deputy Commissioner for approval. Once the approval of the Deputy Commissioner is received and the Mandal pays a fee of Rs 100, the permission for the Mandap will be granted at the divisional level.

Renewal facility for Mandals with five-year permission Renewal of permissions for Mandals who had obtained permission for the first five years (on government or private land) will be processed through a computerized system. Ganeshotsav Mandals who had obtained permission for five years last year will have to submit an online application for renewal of their permission for the year 2026.

The Divisional Office will personally verify that the location and area of ​​the site matches the permission already granted. After this, NOCs will be obtained from the local and traffic police through a computerized system. The permission for 2026 will be renewed after the Mandal pays a fee of ₹ 100.

Two options for Mandals One-year permission granted in 2025
An important facility has been made available this year for Ganeshotsav Mandals who were granted permission to construct a pavilion for only one year (on government or private land) in 2025. Such mandals can apply for the year 2026 only, or for a period of five years from 2026 to 2030. These applications will be scrutinised by the divisional office, and NOCs will be obtained from the local and traffic police through a computerised system. Thereafter, permission will be granted at the ward level on the basis of the application, on payment of a fee of Rs. 100.

Application period for permission for mandap
Applications for permission to construct mandap* (marquee) for public festivals can be submitted through the computerised system between 14 August 2026 and 13 September 2026. The permission for Ganeshotsav mandap is valid till 26 September 2026. 10 October 2026; The permission for mandap for Navratri has been extended till 21 October 2026.

Mandatory training for two volunteers
To ensure discipline at Ganesh Utsav Mandap sites, a one-day training workshop covering topics like crowd management, fire safety, and first aid will be organized at the ward office level. It is mandatory for two volunteers from each Awami Ganeshotsav Mandal (organizing committee) to attend this training.

Emphasis on construction of pothole-free Mandap
Putholes should not be dug in roads or footpaths for construction of Mandap. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged the organizers to use effective techniques that do not require digging of potholes. If potholes are dug on roads or footpaths for construction of Mandap, action will be taken as per the relevant circular.

Furthermore, Awami Ganeshotsav Mandals should strictly follow the conditions and regulations regarding advertisements as stipulated in the circular of the Licensing Department. Compliance with the necessary fire safety measures is also mandatory for the construction of the pavilion.