Maharashtra Zilla Parishad elections postponed to February 7: SEC

The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has postponed the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, which will now be held on February 7, instead of February 5. 

“As a three-day mourning period has been declared in the state due to the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the remaining phases of the general elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis will be held on February 7, while counting of votes will be done on February 9,” stated the SEC. 

The State Election Commission had announced the poll schedule for Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections on January 13. Accordingly, the process of filing nomination papers, withdrawal of nomination papers, allocation of symbols and publication of the final list of candidates contesting the elections has been completed. The next steps are voting, counting of votes and publication of the names of the elected members in the Gazette.

According to the SEC, the Supreme Court has allowed an extension of two weeks for these elections beyond January 31; but due to the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on 28th January 2026, the State Government declared mourning in the State from January 28 to January 30. Consequently, changes have been made in the remaining phases of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti election schedule.

The concerned district collector will publish the revised election schedule notification on January 31, and the public campaign will end on February 5 at 10 p.m. After the declaration of results, the model code of conduct will cease to apply. The names of elected members will be published in the Government Gazette by February 11.