A big round of local body elections is due in Maharashtra, with municipal councils and nagar panchayats across the state going to polls on December 2. The timing of the civic polls is politically charged, particularly after the Assembly results last year.
The day will not only test the abilities of the local leadership but also hint at how public sentiment is shifting, with over one crore eligible voters and thousands of seats in play. The government has declared a public holiday in the polling regions to ensure maximum participation, while the State Election Commission tightened rules related to campaigning and voting-day conduct.
What are the different divisions in Maharashtra?
These polls span across all six administrative divisions, which, all put together, represent the breadth of the state’s urban and semi-urban landscape.
- Konkan Division – 27 local bodies
- Nashik Division – 49 local bodies
- Pune Division – 60 local bodies
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar / Aurangabad Division – 52 local bodies
- Amravati Division – 45 local bodies
- Nagpur Division – 55 local bodies
Each region has its own political mix and local priorities, adding to the complexity of the final outcome.
What about the total seats & reserved seats?
The polling will be held in 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats. There are 3,820 wards in these bodies and a total of 6,859 seats. A substantial number of seats is reserved for different categories to ensure representation.
Women account for 3,492 seats while 895 are reserved for Scheduled Castes, 338 for Scheduled Tribes and 1,821 for Other Backward Classes. The SEC has also fixed the campaign spending at 15 lakh for presidential candidates and 12 lakh for members.
What is the exact number of voters in Maharashtra?
The state’s voter list includes:
- 53,79,931 male electors
- 53,22,870 female voters
- 775 registered as other voters
- Total electorate: 1,07,03,576
These voters will cast ballots at over 13,000 polling stations from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. Counting takes place on the next day.
ALSO READ: India-Russia Summit 2025: Operation Sindoor Underscores Deepening Defence Partnership Ahead of
What will remain open in Maharashtra?
- All establishments which are located outside polling areas, including major cities under PMC and PCMC
- Essential services such as hospitals, emergency services and public utilities
- Workplaces in non-polling regions will function normally.
- Firms that cannot close must give employees 2–3 hours off to vote
- The transport services and public movement remain unaffected.
What will still remain closed in Maharashtra?
- Shops, factories, malls, hotels, commercial establishments and IT offices within polling boundaries
- Labour Department offices within the polling zones
- Workplaces that fall in areas where municipal council and nagar panchayat elections are being held
- Campaign activities such as rallies, marches and loudspeakers after 10 pm on December 1.
- Political advertisements in print, electronic and social media on polling day
Disclaimer: Information is based on official announcements available at the time of writing. Election rules and guidelines may change as updated by authorities.
