Malls and multiplexes in Bombay remained shut till around 5 p.m. on 21st October to help increase the number of people who cast their votes in the Assembly elections. The move was expected to facilitate employees of malls and multiplexes to vote and also to give one less distraction to the city people. Despite this, the voter turnout in Bombay as at 6 p.m. was 50.59%, down from 51.21% in the 2014 Assembly polls. The closure happened due to a state government notification dated October 3, under the Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Act, 2017, directing all shops and establishments to remain closed on election day.