The Maharashtra State Election Commission (MSEC) plans to conduct local body elections in Maharashtra in three phases after Diwali, according to official sources.
According to sources, elections to Zilla Parishads and panchayat samitis are likely to be held in November, while elections to Municipal Corporations and Nagar Panchayats are likely to be held in December, whereas elections to all metropolitan municipalities, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are likely to be held in January 2026.
Elections to local bodies in Maharashtra have been delayed for the past several years, and the Supreme Court recently gave time to hold these elections by January 31, 2026, after reprimanding the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra State Election Commission.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had given the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra State Election Commission time till the end of November 2025.
However, the Maharashtra government approached the Supreme Court and sought an extension of the November 2025 deadline.
The Supreme Court accepted the demand and extended the deadline to hold elections to January 31, 2026.
In a related development on Friday, the Central Election Commission (CEC) cancelled the registration of 474 political parties.
According to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, only registered political parties can participate in elections. The registration of political parties that stay away from elections for six consecutive years is cancelled, and the CEC took action under this rule.
Action was taken by the CEC against political parties from 23 states and union territories.
Registrations of 121 political parties from Uttar Pradesh. Similar action was taken against
15 parties from Bihar, 17 parties from Haryana, 23 parties from Madhya Pradesh, and 21 parties from Punjab.
The CEC cancelled the registration of 44 such political parties from Maharashtra, which stayed away from elections for six consecutive years.