Mumbai, January 29, 2026: The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has announced a major change in the schedule for the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. Voting, originally set for February 5, will now take place on February 7, 2026, while the counting of votes will be conducted on February 9, 2026.
The rescheduling comes in the wake of the sudden death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, following which the state observed three days of mourning from January 28 to January 30. Earlier, the election program for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis had been announced on January 13, 2026.
Election Process Update:
All pre-election formalities, including filing and withdrawal of nomination papers, allocation of symbols, and publication of the final candidate list, have been completed. The remaining phases include voting, counting, and publication of elected members in the official gazette.
Reason for the Change:
The Supreme Court had allowed only a two-week window after January 31, 2026, to complete these elections. However, the sudden demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar led the state government to declare mourning from January 28–30, necessitating adjustments in the election schedule. The revised election program will be officially published by the respective District Collectors on January 31, 2026.
New Voting and Counting Schedule:
- Voting: February 7, 2026, from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Election campaigning will conclude on February 5 at 10 PM.
- Counting of Votes: February 9, 2026, starting at 10 AM at designated counting centers.
- Publication of Elected Members: By February 11, 2026, the names of the elected representatives will be officially notified in the government gazette, after which the model code of conduct for these areas will be lifted.
This change ensures that the election process is conducted smoothly while respecting the period of mourning for a senior state leader.
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