Fri Jan 02 09:09:12 UTC 2026: Summary:
The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) is planning to hold elections for 12 zilla parishads (ZPs) and 125 panchayat samitis in the first week of February 2026. The SEC will finalize the dates after a review meeting on January 6, considering the availability of EVMs and poll machinery. The process needs to be completed before Class 12 exams commence on February 10. Delays due to EVM supplies and manpower availability will likely push the elections beyond the Supreme Court’s (SC) January 31 deadline, which the SEC plans to address during a hearing on January 21. The SC has directed the SEC to hold elections even if reservation limits are exceeded, but only for specific bodies.
News Article:
Maharashtra Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti Elections Likely in Early February
Mumbai, January 2, 2026 – Elections to 12 zilla parishads (ZPs) and 125 panchayat samitis in Maharashtra are expected to be held in the first week of February, according to sources within the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC). An official announcement is anticipated next week.
The SEC is scheduled to convene a meeting on January 6 with district officials to assess preparations, EVM availability, and poll machinery readiness. A decision on the specific election dates is expected shortly after this review.
The SEC aims to complete the electoral process before the commencement of Class 12 exams on February 10. However, potential delays in the supply of new EVMs from Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and the availability of manpower may push the election timeline beyond the Supreme Court’s (SC) January 31 deadline. The SEC plans to address these difficulties during a hearing on January 21.
“We need at least 70,000 EVMs for 35,000 polling booths and over 1.5 lakh officials and employees to conduct the polls,” an SEC official stated.
The SC has instructed the SEC to proceed with elections for municipal corporations, nagar panchayats, and municipal councils, even if the 50% reservation cap is exceeded. However, this directive currently applies only to the aforementioned 12 ZPs and 125 panchayat samitis, barring those exceeding the reservation limits.
The first phase of elections to 264 municipal councils and nagar panchayats was held on December 2, with rescheduled polls for 24 others on December 20. Elections for the state’s 29 municipal corporations are slated for January 15.
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