In the ongoing Maharashtra municipal corporation elections, a significant change in the voting process requires citizens in 28 cities, excluding Mumbai, to cast multiple votes. This system, known as the multi-member ward or 'panel system,' mandates voters to select three or four corporators for a single ward, departing from the traditional one-ward-one-corporator model. Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) remains the sole exception, where electors continue to cast a single vote for one corporator per ward, similar to Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The multi-member ward system was implemented by the State Election Commission (SEC) to ensure broader representation aligned with population density in large urban centers. Under this system, a single municipal ward elects multiple corporators, often with seats reserved for various categories like women or Scheduled Castes/Tribes. Voters are presented with multiple ballot units, each corresponding to a seat within the panel, and must cast a vote for each seat. Failing to cast all the required votes will result in the entire ballot being declared invalid. A 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option is available for each seat. This shift has caused considerable confusion among voters, especially first-timers and those accustomed to the single-vote system. Reports from cities like Navi Mumbai and Pune indicate that voters struggled to understand the new procedure, sometimes attempting to press the same button multiple times. Political parties and the SEC have stepped up awareness campaigns, including using dummy EVMs and educational videos, to guide voters through the process. The elections, including those for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra (28 with panel system, 1 for Mumbai BMC), were scheduled for January 15, 2026, with results to be declared on January 16, 2026.