Election Commission Announces Municipal Polls: 2869 Seats Across 29 Cities for Maharashtra Elections
The Maharashtra State Election Commission has officially announced the schedule for local body elections, covering 2869 seats across 29 cities in municipal councils and nagar panchayats. This significant electoral exercise marks a key democratic event in the state, setting the stage for civic leadership renewal.
Overview of the Election Schedule
The elections for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats, totaling 288 urban local bodies, will unfold in multiple phases. Polling begins on December 2, 2025, with the first phase encompassing a substantial number of these bodies. Subsequent phases, including the second on December 20, 2025, will cover the remaining areas across six administrative divisions: Konkan, Nashik, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, and Nagpur. Vote counting for these polls is slated for December 21, 2025.
These elections precede broader polls for zilla parishads, panchayat samitis, and 29 municipal corporations, with the entire process mandated to conclude by January 31, 2026, in line with Supreme Court directives. The urban local body polls alone involve around 1.07 crore registered voters in the initial phase, utilizing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) exclusively.
Geographical Spread and Seat Distribution
The 2869 seats are distributed across diverse regions, reflecting Maharashtra’s urban landscape. Key divisions include:
- Konkan: 27 bodies
- Nashik: 49 bodies
- Pune: 60 bodies
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 52 bodies
- Amravati: 45 bodies
- Nagpur: 55 bodies
Prominent municipal councils like Sillod (28 seats), Vaijapur (25 seats), Paranda (20 seats), Tuljapur (23 seats), Pathri (23 seats), and Purna (23 seats) highlight the scale. Larger municipal corporations, such as Nagpur and Pune, will follow with their own dedicated programs, including final voter lists, ward structures, and reservation notifications already underway.
Voting Process and Guidelines
Voting stations will operate from morning to evening, with exact timings notified by the State Election Commission. The Model Code of Conduct has been activated, ensuring fair play. Voters can access draft and final voter lists, polling station details, and nomination forms via official portals like those for Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Pune Municipal Corporation.
Nomination filing periods are structured precisely; for instance, Pune’s program commences publication on December 18, 2025, with filings from December 23. Candidates must adhere to reservation draws and ward-wise structures, available for download on commission websites.
Political Context and Voter Expectations
These polls serve as a litmus test for major alliances, including the Mahayuti coalition led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP. Past results in areas like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dharashiv, Beed, and Parbhani show competitive battles: Congress dominated Sillod with 24 of 26 seats in 2019, while NCP led in Tuljapur and Pathri in 2016.
| Municipal Council | Seats | Previous Key Winners (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Sillod | 28 | Congress: 24 (2019) |
| Vaijapur | 25 | Congress dominant |
| Tuljapur | 23 | NCP: 13 (2016) |
| Pathri | 23 | NCP: 20 (2016) |
Citizens’ groups, such as Praja.org, have released a Citizens’ Manifesto, outlining demands for better governance, transparency, and urban services. Issues like infrastructure, water supply, and waste management are likely focal points.
Preparations and Voter Readiness
The State Election Commission oversees the process, with resources for returning officers, candidate nominations, and voter guidance prominently featured online. Final reservations without division were notified on December 2, 2025, for bodies like Nagpur. Pune’s election program includes detailed timelines for voter lists and reservations.
Voters are encouraged to check eligibility, locate polling stations, and prepare identification. With polling on a Saturday in the second phase, high turnout is anticipated, reinforcing local democracy.
This announcement underscores Maharashtra’s commitment to timely civic elections, empowering over a crore voters to shape urban governance amid evolving political dynamics. (Word count: 712)
