Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Elections 2026: Complete Voter Guide and Schedule
The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections will be held as part of Maharashtra’s single-phase municipal polls on 15 January 2026; counting of votes is scheduled for 16 January 2026.
Who can vote
Any resident of Kalyan-Dombivli who is registered on the municipal voters’ list, is at least 18 years old on the qualifying date, and is not disqualified under any election law may cast a vote in the KDMC elections. Ensure your name, address and gender details on the electoral roll are accurate well before the last dates for corrections and nominations.
Key dates and timeline
The State Election Commission has announced a common schedule for municipal corporation polls across Maharashtra; Kalyan-Dombivli follows the same timetable:
- Issue of election notification and start of nomination filing: late December 2025 (nomination window typically runs for a few days).
- Last date to file nominations: around 30 December 2025.
- Scrutiny of nominations: end of December 2025.
- Last date for withdrawal of candidature: early January 2026 (usually within the first days of January).
- Polling day: 15 January 2026 (voting hours typically from early morning to late afternoon; confirm local timings once notified).
- Counting of votes and result declaration: 16 January 2026.
Before voting: registration, checking the roll and corrections
Voters should verify registration well before nomination and polling dates. Common steps are:
- Check your name and details on the KDMC electoral roll at the local election office or the official state election portal.
- If your name is missing or details are incorrect, apply for inclusion or correction immediately—there are specific forms and deadlines for additions and deletions prior to the poll notification.
- Carry valid identity and address proof to the polling station on polling day as required by local instructions.
How to vote
Voting for municipal corporation seats is by secret ballot at assigned polling stations in each ward. Voters receive a ballot paper or use the method announced by the returning officer for KDMC (confirm whether electronic or paper ballots will be used for your ward). Polling officials will check identity, mark the roll, and guide voters to the booth; assistance is available for voters with disabilities or those needing help with the ballot.
Polling day practicalities
On polling day, arrive early to avoid queues and to ensure you vote within the prescribed hours. Take a valid photo ID and any required documents. Note that campaigning, loudspeakers and political advertisements are restricted in and around polling stations; the Model Code of Conduct and local orders set specific limits on campaign activity in the run-up to polling.
What to expect after voting
Counting of votes for KDMC is scheduled the day after polling. Results for each ward are declared after counting is completed under the supervision of the returning officer. If you wish to follow results live, watch official announcements from the State Election Commission or the KDMC returning office.
Common voter FAQs
- Can I vote if I moved wards recently? Only if you updated your address on the municipal electoral roll for the new ward before the cut-off; otherwise you must vote at the polling station where you are registered.
- What ID is acceptable? Follow the list published by the election authorities—typically government-issued photo ID with address proof is acceptable.
- Can I vote by proxy? Municipal elections normally require the elector to be present in person; proxy voting is not generally available for local body polls except in specific statutory cases for certain categories.
- How long are polling hours? Confirm the exact local timings once the final schedule is published, but municipal polls commonly run from early morning to late afternoon.
Voter responsibilities and conduct
Voters should act responsibly: carry valid ID, respect polling staff and fellow voters, refrain from taking photographs inside voting booths, and avoid any attempt to influence others inside the polling station. If you witness malpractice, contact polling officials or the returning officer immediately and use official complaint channels.
Staying informed
For authoritative updates—final ward lists, exact nomination dates, polling station assignments and voting hours—consult the State Election Commission notifications and the KDMC returning officer’s office once the election notification is officially published. Local newspapers and municipal information outlets will also publish ward-wise schedules and candidate lists close to polling.
Voting in municipal elections shapes everyday services—water, roads, sanitation, local planning and public health—so ensure your registration is in order and plan to vote on 15 January 2026 to have a say in Kalyan-Dombivli governance.
