Parbhani Reserved Seats 2026: SC ST OBC Women Ward List and Reservation Details for Parbhani Elections
The Parbhani Municipal Corporation elections, scheduled for January 15, 2026, feature reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and women across its wards. These reservations ensure representation from marginalized groups in line with Maharashtra’s local body election guidelines.
Election Overview and Timeline
Parbhani is one of the 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra set for polls on January 15, 2026, with vote counting on January 16, 2026. The State Election Commission (SEC) announced the schedule on December 15, 2025, activating the Model Code of Conduct immediately. Ward formation and reservation processes for all civic bodies, including Parbhani, were completed prior to the final voter list publication on the same date. This single-phase election covers major urban centers, with over 3.48 crore voters statewide.
The Supreme Court has mandated completion of all local body polls by January 31, 2026, marking a firm deadline. For Parbhani, this includes general seats alongside reserved categories to promote inclusive governance in the corporation managing urban services like water supply, roads, and sanitation.
Reservation Framework in Maharashtra Civic Polls
Maharashtra follows a structured reservation policy for municipal corporations, capping total reservations at around 50 percent as per recent Supreme Court directives on local elections. Reservations prioritize SC, ST, OBC, and women, drawn from census data and backward class commissions. In Parbhani, similar to other bodies like BMC and Pune, wards are delimited into general and reserved categories.
Key reservation categories:
- SC/ST: Allocated based on population proportions from the latest census. Parbhani, in the Marathwada region, has notable SC presence, influencing ward allocations.
- OBC: Includes categories like Kunbi, Mali, and others prevalent locally, with quotas reflecting survey data.
- Women: At least 50 percent of total seats, often combined with other categories (e.g., SC women or OBC women).
The SEC authenticates reservations post-draft publication, inviting objections before finalization. This ensures transparency and adherence to rotational policies, where reserved wards alternate in election cycles.
Parbhani Ward Structure and Reserved Seats
Parbhani Municipal Corporation comprises approximately 40-50 wards, though exact numbers vary by delimitation. Final ward-wise lists, published by the SEC, detail reservations. Typically, 20-25 percent of wards are reserved for SC/ST, 27 percent for OBC, and over 50 percent for women, adjusted for Parbhani’s demographics.
While the complete ward list is available on the Maharashtra SEC website (SEC Maharashtra) and Parbhani district portal (Parbhani District), key patterns include:
- Wards in central and eastern areas often reserved for SC due to higher concentrations.
- Peripheral wards with ST populations, though fewer in Parbhani compared to tribal belts.
- OBC reservations in mixed commercial zones.
- Women reservations distributed evenly, with dual-category wards like “OBC (W)” or “SC (W)”.
For instance, preliminary notifications mirror Zilla Parishad patterns in Parbhani, where final reservation lists for 2025 panchayat polls were issued, setting precedents for urban bodies. Voters can access detailed lists via the SEC’s ward formation annexures.
Implications for Candidates and Voters
Reservation details shape candidacy: only eligible candidates from reserved categories can contest those wards. Nomination filing begins soon after the schedule announcement, with scrutiny ensuring compliance. Women candidates gain prominence, fostering gender-balanced councils.
Voters in Parbhani, part of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, will use authenticated rolls from December 15, 2025. The SEC emphasizes no additions or deletions post-publication, maintaining electoral integrity. Political parties are strategizing seat-sharing, focusing on reserved wards to consolidate support among SC, ST, OBC, and women voters.
Accessing Official Ward Lists
Detailed SC, ST, OBC, and women reservation lists for Parbhani wards are hosted on official platforms. Visit the Maharashtra State Election Commission for downloadable PDFs under “Ward Formation and Reservation.” The Parbhani District Administration site provides localized updates, including ZP parallels. Apps and helplines from SEC aid verification by ward number.
These resources empower aspirants and electorate ahead of the 2026 polls, ensuring equitable participation in Parbhani’s civic governance.
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