13 January,2026 09:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The elections will cover Zilla Parishads in 12 districts along with their corresponding 125 Panchayat Samitis. Representational Pic/File
Elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis in Maharashtra will be held on February 5, 2026, with the counting of votes scheduled for February 7, a senior official said on Tuesday.
The election programme was announced a day after the Supreme Court extended the deadline for completing Maharashtra local body elections by two weeks beyond the earlier January 31 timeline.
With the announcement of the schedule at a press conference addressed by State Election Commission (SEC) Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in the concerned districts.
The elections will cover Zilla Parishads in 12 districts along with their corresponding 125 Panchayat Samitis. The SEC is making arrangements for approximately 25,482 polling stations across the state.
Polling will be conducted from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm on February 5.
According to the SEC, nomination papers will be accepted from January 16 to January 18.
Scrutiny of nominations will take place on January 19, while the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is January 21.
Election symbols will be allotted on January 22, and the final list of candidates will be published on the same day.
The voter list prepared by the Election Commission of India as of July 1, 2025, will be used for these elections. The voter lists have been bifurcated for Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti constituencies as per rules.
"No additions or deletions can be made to the voter list at this stage," Waghmare said.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), including ballot units and control units, will be used extensively to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.
The SEC said special facilities will be provided at polling stations for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and voters with infants.
Facilities will include ramps, wheelchairs, drinking water and toilets. Where feasible, all-women polling stations will be set up in areas with a high concentration of women voters.
Extensive administrative preparations have been made, including the appointment of thousands of election officers and staff.
The SEC has also specified expenditure limits separately for Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti candidates, based on the size of the electoral divisions.
Waghmare warned that strict action will be taken against violations of the Model Code of Conduct. Election campaigning will end 48 hours before polling begins.
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(with PTI inputs)
