Maharashtra ZP Election News:
The long-awaited Zilla Parishad (ZP) and Panchayat Samiti elections in Maharashtra have finally been announced. The State Election Commission Maharashtra has declared the election schedule for the first phase, bringing political activity back to rural Maharashtra. With the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force from today in the concerned districts.
As per court directions, these elections will be conducted only in districts where reservation does not exceed 50 percent. Accordingly, elections will be held in 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis in the first phase.
Official Announcement by the Election Commission
The election schedule was announced during a press conference held in Mumbai. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare formally declared the dates and guidelines for the first phase of elections.
Zilla Parishad elections are considered politically significant, often generating more intensity than municipal polls, as they directly impact rural governance and grassroots leadership.
Districts Where Elections Will Be Held
The first phase of ZP and Panchayat Samiti elections will be conducted in the following districts:
Konkan Division
Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg
Pune Division
Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, Dharashiv, Latur
Pending Local Body Elections in Maharashtra
Currently, elections for 32 Zilla Parishads and 336 Panchayat Samitis are pending across the state. In many cases, the elected bodies completed their tenure several years ago, and administration is being run by appointed administrators. However, elections for all these bodies will not be conducted at once due to legal restrictions.
Elections Stayed Due to Reservation Limit
The Supreme Court has ordered a temporary stay on elections in local bodies where the reservation limit exceeds 50 percent.
As a result:
- 20 Zilla Parishads
- 88 Panchayat Samitis
remain excluded from the current election process. The next court hearing in this matter is scheduled for January 21, after which further decisions are expected.
Voting Rights and Voter List
- Each voter will have two votes:
- One for the Zilla Parishad
- One for the Panchayat Samiti
- The nomination process will be offline.
- The voter list dated July 1, 2025, published on November 3, will be used.
- Addition or deletion of names is not under the jurisdiction of the State Election Commission.
Zilla Parishad & Panchayat Samiti Election Schedule
- Nomination Filing: January 16 to January 21, 2026
- Scrutiny of Nominations: January 22, 2026
- Last Date for Withdrawal: January 27, 2026 (till 3:00 PM)
- Final Candidate List & Symbol Allotment: January 27, 2026 (after 3:00 PM)
- Polling Date/ Voting Date: February 5, 2026 (7:30 AM to 5:30 PM)
- Counting of Votes: February 7, 2026 (from 10:00 AM)
Political Significance
With the announcement of these elections, political parties have shifted their focus to rural Maharashtra. Strategy building, candidate selection, and local alliances are expected to intensify in the coming days, making the ZP and Panchayat Samiti elections a crucial test of grassroots strength for all major parties.
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