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Maharashtra Local Polls Shifted to Feb 7 After Ajit Pawar's Death, Counting on Feb 9

The State Election Commission has revised the schedule for the remaining phases of elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis in Maharashtra. Voting has been postponed from February 5 to February 7 due to a three-day state mourning period declared following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Consequently, the counting of votes has been shifted from February 7 to February 9. The revised election notice will be published on January 31, with results to be gazetted by February 11.

Key Points: Maharashtra Zilla Parishad Polls Rescheduled to February 7

  • Polls rescheduled due to state mourning
  • Voting on February 7, counting on February 9
  • Elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis
  • Model Code of Conduct in effect
2 min read

Maharashtra: Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti polls rescheduled to Feb 7; counting on Feb 9

Maharashtra local body elections for 12 Zilla Parishads rescheduled to Feb 7, counting on Feb 9 due to state mourning for Ajit Pawar.

"Voting, originally scheduled for February 5, will now take place on February 7. - State Election Commission"

Mumbai, Jan 29

Due to the three-day state mourning declared following the untimely death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the schedule for the remaining phases of the general elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis has been revised.

Voting, originally scheduled for February 5, will now take place on February 7. Consequently, the counting of votes has been moved from February 7 to February 9, said the State Election Commission (SEC) in a statement.

The SEC originally announced the election programme for these local bodies on January 13. The 12 zilla parishads, which are well within the 50 per cent quota limit, include Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, and Kolhapur, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Parbhani, Dharashiv, and Latur. The 125 panchayat samitis, which will go for polls, fall under these 12 zilla parishads.

The initial stages-including the filing of nominations, withdrawal of candidacies, allocation of symbols, and the publication of the final list of candidates-have already been completed. The remaining stages involve voting, counting, and the official notification of the winning members in the Government Gazette.

The Supreme Court had granted an extension of only two weeks beyond January 31, 2026, for these elections. However, following the tragic accidental demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28, the state government declared a period of mourning from January 28 to January 30, 2026.

"Considering this period, the following changes have been made. As per the official notification, concerned District Collectors will publish the revised election notice on January 31, 2026. The voting will be held on February 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., public campaigning must conclude by 10:00 p.m. on February 5, and the counting of votes will begin at 10:00 a.m. on February 9," said the SEC statement.

The Model Code of Conduct will end immediately after the results are declared. The names of the elected members will be published in the Government Gazette by February 11.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
While I understand the reason for rescheduling, it does create logistical issues. Many people, especially in rural areas, plan their travel and work around election dates. The SEC should ensure maximum awareness about the new dates to avoid confusion and low turnout. 📢
M
Michael C
Interesting to see how local body elections function in Maharashtra. The detailed process with gazette notifications and strict timelines shows a robust system, even with last-minute changes due to unforeseen circumstances.
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Vikram M
Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections are crucial for grassroots development. Hope the candidates use the extra two days to focus on real issues like water, roads, and schools, not just empty promises. Best of luck to all! 🙏
P
Priya S
The article mentions the 50% quota limit. It's good to see that representation is being prioritized. These local bodies need diverse voices to address the needs of all communities effectively. Let's hope for a smooth and fair election process.
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Aman W
A small delay is understandable given the tragic circumstances. The key now is for the administration to ensure all arrangements—security, EVMs, polling staff—are seamlessly shifted to Feb 7th. No last-minute glitches, please!

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