Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti Polls Rescheduled To Feb 7 In Maharashtra

Maharashtra's local body elections have seen a critical revision to their schedule, a direct consequence of the three-day state mourning declared after the tragic and untimely passing of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. This significant adjustment impacts the remaining phases of the general elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis across the state, ensuring that the electoral process respects the period of state grief.

Initially slated for February 5, the crucial voting period will now proceed on February 7. Correspondingly, the counting of votes, which was originally planned for February 7, has been postponed to February 9. These changes were officially communicated by the State Election Commission (SEC) in a recent public statement, underscoring the necessity of adapting the electoral calendar to unforeseen circumstances.

The SEC had previously unveiled the comprehensive election program for these vital local bodies on January 13. The 12 Zilla Parishads involved, all operating within the stipulated 50 percent quota limit, include key regions such as Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, and Kolhapur. Other significant districts are Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Parbhani, Dharashiv, and Latur. The 125 Panchayat Samitis slated for polls fall under the jurisdiction of these aforementioned Zilla Parishads, highlighting the broad impact of the schedule shift.

Prior phases of the electoral process have already reached completion. This includes the submission and scrutiny of nominations, the withdrawal of candidacies, the allocation of electoral symbols to contesting parties and independent candidates, and the official publication of the final list of eligible contenders. The revised schedule primarily affects the final, decisive stages: the actual casting of votes, the subsequent counting process, and the official notification of the victorious members in the Government Gazette.

Adding another layer of urgency to the proceedings, the Supreme Court had previously granted only a two-week extension beyond January 31, 2026, for the completion of these elections. However, the unexpected and tragic demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28 necessitated a declaration of state mourning from January 28 to January 30, 2026, prompting the state government and election authorities to re-evaluate the timelines.

In light of this period of mourning, the State Election Commission outlined the specific amendments: "Considering this period, the following changes have been made. As per the official notification, concerned District Collectors will publish the revised election notice on January 31, 2026. The voting will be held on February 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., public campaigning must conclude by 10:00 p.m. on February 5, and the counting of votes will begin at 10:00 a.m. on February 9," detailed the SEC's comprehensive statement, providing clear instructions to all stakeholders and the public.

Following the declaration of results, the Model Code of Conduct, which governs fair electoral practices, will immediately cease to be in effect. The names of all successfully elected members will then be officially published in the Government Gazette by February 11, marking the final step in this crucial electoral cycle.