The Jharkhand State Election Commission (SEC) on Tuesday announced the schedule for the Urban Local Body elections, setting the process in motion for Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats across the state. Polling will be held in a single phase on February 27, while counting of votes will take place on March 2.
According to the notification issued by the Commission, elections will be conducted for 49 urban local bodies, including six Municipal Corporations, 19 Municipal Councils and 24 Nagar Panchayats. A total of 1,087 wards will go to the polls. With the announcement of the election programme, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect in all municipal areas concerned.
The election process will formally begin with the publication of the notification on January 28. Nomination papers can be filed from January 29 to February 4. Scrutiny of nominations will be held on February 5, and February 6 has been fixed as the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Polling will be conducted from 7 am to 5 pm on February 27 using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and results will be declared on March 2.
The State Election Commission said more than 43 lakh voters, including 21.2 lakh female voters and 144 from the third gender category, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the municipal elections. For the smooth conduct of polling, 4,304 polling stations have been set up across the state. Of these, 2,129 have been identified as sensitive and will be provided with additional security arrangements.
Reservation of seats has been finalised in accordance with constitutional provisions and government guidelines. Seats have been reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and women candidates on the basis of population data and the rotation policy. Several posts of Mayor, Chairperson and Ward Members have been earmarked for women to ensure broader participation in urban governance.
The Commission has directed all district administrations to make comprehensive arrangements for security and election management. Adequate deployment of police personnel and other forces has been planned, especially in sensitive and vulnerable areas. Measures such as videography, webcasting, and the appointment of micro-observers will be undertaken at select polling stations to ensure transparency and prevent malpractice. The Commission has warned that strict action will be taken against any violation of the Model Code of Conduct.