The State Election Commission has announced elections to 12 district councils and 125 panchayat samitis in Maharashtra, following the completion of the municipal corporation election process. According to the commission, a total of 2.09 crore voters will be eligible to participate in this phase of local body elections. The voter list published on July 1, 2025, will be used for the polls, and voters can verify their details on the State Election Commission’s official website.
The commission stated that voting for the district council and panchayat samiti elections will be held on February 5, 2026, from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. The counting of votes will begin on February 7, 2026, at 10 am. Once the results are declared, newly elected members will assume office for their respective terms. The commission said that all security and administrative arrangements will be strictly implemented on polling and counting days.
The nomination process for candidates will begin on January 16, 2026, and continue until January 21, 2026. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on January 22, 2026. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until 3 pm on January 27, 2026. The final list of candidates and allocation of election symbols will be released after 3.30 pm on the same day.
The commission said that in this election, the provision of 50 percent reservation will not apply to several seats. According to the commission, this arrangement has been made to maintain social and administrative balance and to ensure equitable participation of all sections and communities in local governance.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force across all concerned areas. The commission said the code has been implemented to ensure that the election process is conducted in a fair and peaceful manner. Security at polling stations will be tightened, and police and administrative officials will ensure that voters are able to exercise their franchise without difficulty. The commission also said that necessary arrangements are being made keeping in view health conditions such as COVID-19 and prevailing weather conditions.
The State Election Commission has appealed to voters to check their voter ID and registration details in advance through the official website. Voters have been advised to reach their designated polling stations within the stipulated time and carry the required documents. The commission said voters should understand their responsibility and ensure active participation in the democratic process.
