Ahead of the 2026 three-tier Panchayat elections in Bihar, the State Election Commission (SEC) has clarified confusion circulating on social media regarding the reservation of seats. The commission confirmed that reservations for Panchayat positions will be freshly determined for the upcoming elections, dispelling rumors about the continuation of previous allocations.
Clarifying the Confusion
The joint Election Commissioner of Bihar stated that misinformation about the Panchayat elections, including the mode of voting—whether by ballot paper or EVM—and the reservation of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad positions, has been widely circulated. To address this, the SEC issued an official statement confirming that reservations for all posts will be finalized anew.
Election Timeline and Voting Method
The previous Panchayat elections were held from August to December 2021, with the swearing-in of elected representatives taking place between late December 2021 and early January 2022. Accordingly, the tenure of the current Panchayats will conclude before December 2026.
The 2026 Panchayat elections, including Gram Panchayat Members, Mukhiya, Panchayat Samiti Members, Zila Parishad Members, Gram Kachheri Sarpanch, and Panch, will be conducted through Multi-Post Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This decision has been taken by the state government to modernize the electoral process and eliminate confusion regarding the voting system.
Reservation of Seats as per Law
The SEC stated that reservations will be applied in accordance with the Bihar Panchayat Raj Act, 2006. Specifically:
- Gram Panchayat Mukhiya/Member: Section 13
- Panchayat Samiti Member: Section 38
- Zila Parishad Member: Section 65
- Gram Kachheri Sarpanch/Panch: Section 91
As per the Act, reservations must be determined after every two consecutive elections. The last reservation exercise was carried out prior to the 2016 elections, which applied for both the 2016 and 2021 elections. Similarly, for the 2026 elections, reservations will be finalized in a timely manner before the polls.
The SEC has emphasized that all processes will be completed transparently, ensuring clarity and fairness for candidates and voters alike.
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