Preparations for the 2026 Uttar Pradesh Panchayat Elections Commence
Preparations for the 2026 tri-level Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh have officially begun. Holding the Panchayat elections before the proposed 2027 Assembly elections has become a priority for the State Election Commission (SEC). In a significant step towards this, the commission has issued an e-tender for the supply of ballot boxes to be used in the Panchayat elections.
Potential Timeline for the 2026 Panchayat Elections
According to information released by the State Election Commission, the Panchayat elections are likely to be held in January-February 2026. Although no official date has been announced yet, the commencement of election preparations and the tender timeline suggest that the commission is working towards conducting the elections during this winter.
Order for the Procurement of 1.27 Lakh Ballot Boxes
The commission has clarified that a total of 1,27,863 ballot boxes are required for the Panchayat elections. All these ballot boxes will be made of CR Sheet Grade CR1 and must be supplied to all 67 districts of Uttar Pradesh within a four-month timeframe.
Eligibility for Tender Participation
The e-tender is only solicited from reputable firms that:
- Have supplied products made of CR Sheet worth at least ₹15 crore to any central/state government or public sector undertaking in the last 5 years.
- Have an annual turnover of at least ₹3 crore.
Key Information Regarding the E-Tender
- Tender Fee: ₹35,400
- Earnest Money (Deposit): ₹30 Lakh
- Last Date for Tender Upload: June 6, 2025, 5 PM
- Date of Technical Bid Opening: June 9, 2025, 3 PM, State Election Commission Office, Lucknow
Information and Download Facility Available on Website
All details, terms, and instructions related to the tender are available on two main websites:
- http://etender.up.nic.in
- http://sec.up.nic.in
Interested companies can download the tender documents from these portals and upload them within the deadline.
Opinions of Election Experts
Election experts believe that the State Election Commission's issuance of this tender at this stage clarifies the election timeline considerably. The ballot boxes need to be supplied within four months, and if the tender process is completed in June, all preparations could be finalized by October-November. Therefore, the Panchayat elections in January-February 2026 can be considered almost certain.
