Mumbai: The political stage in Maharashtra is set for a significant contest as the State Election Commission (SEC) today announced the much-awaited schedule for the long-pending Local Body Elections. The announcement, made at a press conference by State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare this afternoon, brings to an end months of speculation and immediately imposes the Model Code of Conduct across the concerned regions.
The elections, which will determine the leadership of numerous key local self-governing institutions, will be conducted in a phased manner to ensure a smooth and orderly process.
Election Schedule Highlights
While a final, detailed notification is expected shortly, reliable sources indicate the elections will be conducted in three distinct phases:
- Phase 1: Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats
- Voting for the state's 246 Municipal Councils and 42 Nagar Panchayats is expected to take place in November 2025.
- Phase 2: Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis
- Elections for the 32 Zilla Parishads and 336 Panchayat Samitis are anticipated to be held in December 2025.
- Phase 3: Municipal Corporations (Mahanagar Palikas)
- The final and most crucial phase, including polls for the 29 Municipal Corporations (such as Mumbai, Pune, Thane, etc.), is likely to be held in January 2026.
The Supreme Court had earlier mandated that elections for all local bodies whose terms have expired must be completed before January 31, 2026, putting pressure on the SEC to finalize the schedule swiftly.
Model Code of Conduct Enforced
The immediate enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct means that new development projects, public welfare schemes, and populist announcements will be restricted in the areas going to polls. This is expected to intensify the political rhetoric as parties shift focus entirely to grassroots campaigning.
Contested Voter Rolls and Political Realignments
The announcement comes amidst a charged political atmosphere. Opposition alliances, including key constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), have previously raised strong objections regarding alleged discrepancies and duplicate entries in the voter lists, demanding a rectification before polls. The SEC has, however, decided to proceed, ensuring the process meets the constitutional deadline.
The elections are seen as a critical acid test for the state's major political players—including the ruling coalition (Maha Yuti) and the opposition alliance (MVA)—especially in light of the recent fragmentation within key regional parties. The local body polls are often a reliable indicator of the political mood on the ground and will set the stage for future state and general elections.
Political parties have been instructed to adhere strictly to the election rules and guidelines as the focus now shifts entirely to candidate selection and ground-level mobilisation.
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