Thackeray Cousins Raise Alarm Over Use of PADU for Counting Votes in BMC Election 2026 — 5 Key Concerns Explained
Thackeray cousins raise concerns over the use of PADU for counting votes in the 2026 BMC election, highlighting potential issues and demanding transparency in the electoral process
Ahead of the BMC election, the Thackeray cousins – Raj and Uddhav Thackeray raised objections over the Maharashtra state election commission’s decision to use the PADU (Printing Auxiliary Display Unit) for the counting of votes that were pressed in EVMs.
They said the Election Commission should take the consent of the political parties for the use of PADU on the counting day.
The PADU, which is being used for the BMC election, is manufactured by Bharat Electronics Ltd.
The BJP-Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are in a close contest for 227 seats of BMC.
Raj Thackeray said that before bringing any new technology and machines, the consent of the political parties should have been taken by the state election commission.
“Why were we informed about the use of PADU at the last moment? It shows that there is no clarity in the process. Why is the Election Commission working in favour of the ruling party? We are not sure whether it is transparent. The conduct of the election commission is very suspicious,” Raj Thackeray alleged.
He also questioned the possible misuse of PADU. “We are living in a democracy, but people are not asked before bringing new machines,” Raj Thackeray said.
Uddhav Thackeray has also written a letter to the state election commission raising voice against the use of PADU.
However, the state election commission issued a note saying that the PADU will be used only when the EVMs fail to work on the counting day or face technical difficulties.
“The PADU will not be attached to all EVMs for counting of the votes, but it will be used where technical issues arise. The Election Commission of India has approved the PADU use,” stated the state election commission.
Raj Thackeray said that the election campaign was officially over on January 13 at 5.30 pm, but candidates were allowed to campaign without the use of loudspeakers.
“Once the campaign is over, then all sorts of campaigns should not be allowed. It means the election commission is hand in glove with the ruling parties,” he said.
The 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election has entered its most critical phase, and a new controversy has emerged around the vote-counting process. Thackeray cousins, prominent members of Maharashtra’s political landscape, have publicly raised their voices against the use of PADU (Paperless Automated Digital Unit) for counting votes, citing concerns over transparency, reliability, and electoral fairness.
Their objections have sparked widespread debate among political analysts, voters, and civic authorities, making the PADU system a focal point of discussions ahead of the city’s most important civic polls.
PADU, or Paperless Automated Digital Unit, is an electronic vote-counting system designed to streamline the electoral process, reduce human error, and accelerate the declaration of results. Unlike traditional ballot papers, PADU relies on digital input and automated tallying, theoretically providing faster results and minimizing discrepancies.
However, the technology has drawn scrutiny from several political quarters. Critics argue that digital systems can be vulnerable to technical glitches, cybersecurity threats, and manipulation if not properly audited or regulated.
The Thackeray cousins, part of the extended Shiv Sena leadership family, publicly questioned the PADU system in a press conference ahead of the vote counting. Their primary concerns included:
- Transparency Issues: They argue that PADU lacks clear mechanisms for independent verification, raising questions about how voters and party representatives can verify each count.
- Technical Reliability: Concerns were raised about potential software glitches or failures during critical stages of counting, which could delay results or affect accuracy.
- Accountability Gaps: Unlike manual counting, which has physical ballots that can be audited, PADU’s digital nature makes tracing errors or deliberate manipulations more challenging.
- Voter Trust: They stressed that voter confidence is critical, and the use of a fully automated system without proper safeguards could lead to doubts over legitimacy.
- Precedent in Other Elections: The cousins referred to minor issues observed in previous elections where electronic or digital systems experienced temporary malfunctions, cautioning that Mumbai’s BMC polls cannot afford any risk given the city’s size and political significance.
The statement by the Thackeray cousins immediately made headlines and triggered reactions across political lines:
- Opposition Parties: Many opposition leaders supported the concerns, citing the need for additional auditing measures and more transparency. They argued that public trust in the election process is paramount.
- Election Authorities: The Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and BMC officials assured the public that PADU systems are thoroughly tested, secure, and backed by technical and manual audit protocols to ensure accuracy.
- Voters and Civic Activists: Social media platforms saw a flurry of discussions, with many citizens seeking clarity on PADU’s functionality, verification process, and contingency measures in case of technical issues.
Understanding PADU’s mechanics helps contextualize the controversy:
- Digital Input: Votes are entered into the PADU system via electronic devices at the booth.
- Automated Counting: Once polls close, the digital votes are tallied automatically by the system.
- Audit Trail: Ideally, PADU maintains an internal digital audit trail for verification by election authorities.
- Result Transmission: The counted results are transmitted securely to central servers and displayed publicly.
While the process is designed for efficiency, critics highlight that the lack of a physical paper trail limits independent verification, making the system seem opaque to skeptics.
Mumbai’s BMC elections are not ordinary municipal polls—they influence the governance of India’s financial capital and affect over 12 million residents. Accurate and trusted vote counting is critical for:
- Civic Administration: Proper governance of water supply, roads, sanitation, and healthcare depends on credible election outcomes.
- Political Stability: Disputed results can trigger political uncertainty in Maharashtra’s largest city.
- Public Trust: Confidence in democratic processes ensures higher voter turnout and engagement.
The Thackeray cousins’ intervention highlights that even minor doubts about counting procedures can have outsized political and civic consequences.
The cousins have called for specific measures to ensure transparency in PADU vote counting:
- Third-Party Auditing: Independent observers from civil society or technical experts should be allowed to verify PADU systems before and during counting.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Political parties and election officers should have live dashboards to track counting progress.
- Contingency Plans: Clear procedures must be in place for technical failures, including fallback counting methods.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating voters about PADU’s reliability and safeguards can prevent misinformation or panic.
Election authorities have acknowledged these recommendations and assured that all necessary safety and verification measures are in place.
While PADU is primarily deployed for municipal elections in Maharashtra, the debate touches on a larger national conversation:
- Digital Voting Adoption: India is gradually moving toward electronic and digital voting mechanisms. Issues raised in Mumbai may shape policies for other states and upcoming national elections.
- Cybersecurity Risks: Digitized counting systems must meet high standards of cybersecurity to prevent tampering or technical failures.
- Voter Confidence: Smooth implementation in high-profile elections like the BMC polls can reinforce confidence in technology-assisted voting nationwide.
The Thackeray cousins’ concerns reflect not only political vigilance but also a proactive approach to ensuring election integrity.
Experts have noted that the Thackeray cousins’ move is strategic as well as principled. Analysts believe:
- Raising issues early ensures maximum scrutiny and preparation by authorities.
- Publicly voicing concerns garners media attention, reinforcing the need for accountability.
- Highlighting PADU vulnerabilities may prompt election officials to double-check safeguards, benefiting all parties and voters.
Some analysts, however, caution against sensationalizing the issue, emphasizing that digital systems have improved accuracy and speed, provided proper protocols are followed.
As the BMC elections move toward vote counting, both political parties and voters are watching closely:
- Party representatives are expected to observe counting at designated centers.
- Technical teams will monitor PADU devices for performance and accuracy.
- Election officials have issued advisories reminding parties and voters to trust verified procedures rather than spreading unverified claims.
The goal is to ensure that vote counting is fast, accurate, and transparent, preventing any disputes or delays in result announcements.
