Patna: Preparations for the Bihar Panchayat elections scheduled for 2026 are underway under the supervision of the State Election Commission, with key updates issued by Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash. Officials said the electoral process is being structured in accordance with published population data and procedural requirements.
Preparations Under State Election Commission
The minister said that groundwork for the elections is progressing as per the Election Commission’s framework. Population data for all panchayats has already been released, forming the basis for further electoral planning.
Authorities are also working on the logistical and administrative arrangements required for the conduct of elections across rural local bodies in the state.
Fresh Reservation Roster After Ten Years
According to the minister, a new reservation roster will be implemented for the upcoming Panchayat elections, as the previous roster was introduced nearly a decade ago.
He said the process of preparing the updated reservation structure will be carried out under the supervision of the State Election Commission to ensure compliance with existing rules and representation norms.
Multi-Post EVMs for Six Posts
The state government has confirmed that elections will be conducted using multi-post electronic voting machines covering all six panchayat-level posts.
The minister said the use of EVMs is expected to simplify voting, improve efficiency and help speed up the counting process while maintaining procedural transparency.
Delimitation Not Feasible at This Stage
On the issue of fresh delimitation, the minister said conducting elections based on new boundaries is not currently feasible, as it would require an extended administrative process that could delay the schedule.
He added that some public representatives had approached the High Court over delimitation concerns, following which the court granted the Election Commission a two-month window to take a decision.
Election Readiness and Process Timeline
Officials said the state administration is aiming to ensure timely elections while maintaining fairness and peace during the polling process. Preparations related to equipment deployment, voter arrangements and polling infrastructure are being completed in coordination with relevant departments.
