Jharkhand Municipal Elections Update: Notification to Be Released in 8 Weeks, SEC Begins Preparations

Ranchi: The path is now clear for holding pending elections in all 48 municipal corporations and municipal councils across Jharkhand. The State Election Commission (SEC) has begun preparations for elections that have been stalled for nearly three years. The official notification is expected to be issued in eight weeks.

Timeline and Process
The SEC recently informed the High Court that at least eight weeks are required for election preparations. Once the notification is issued, the entire electoral process can be completed within 45 days. The High Court has directed the commission to adhere strictly to this timeline. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for 30 March 2026.

Government Completes Formalities
During the hearing on a contempt petition regarding the delay in municipal elections, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan told the court that all necessary documents, including OBC reservation lists and population data, have been provided to the SEC. The government has confirmed that no additional information is required.

The SEC also acknowledged that the government has completed all formalities related to municipal elections. The commission now needs to issue the notification and initiate the electoral process. The High Court has instructed the SEC to take all necessary steps to complete the elections within the stipulated timeframe.

Reason for Election Delays
The tenure of all municipal bodies in Jharkhand ended in April 2023, with new elections initially scheduled by 27 April 2023. The main reason for the delay was the incomplete “Triple Test” process required to finalize OBC reservations.

Since April 2023, all municipal corporations, municipalities, municipal councils, and town panchayats have been administered by government-appointed administrators, leaving elected representatives sidelined for over two years.