Zilla Parishad Election 2026: Liquor Sale Banned in Poll-Bound Districts as Voting to Be Held on February 7

The State Excise Department has imposed a strict ban on the sale of alcohol in election-affected areas across Maharashtra to ensure peaceful and fair Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. Liquor sales will remain prohibited on polling and counting days, with all country liquor shops, wine shops, beer shops, permit rooms and bars ordered to stay shut in the notified areas. Officials have warned of stringent action against vendors found violating the ban during the restricted period. Alcohol sales will also be barred at locations where vote counting is scheduled. However, liquor outlets in municipal corporations and municipal council areas where elections are not being held will continue operations as usual.

The campaign for elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis across the state concluded on Thursday, triggering the enforcement of the model code of conduct and the silence period. With campaigning over, political parties and candidates are prohibited from publishing or broadcasting advertisements through print, electronic or social media platforms. Voting will take place on Saturday from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., while counting of votes is scheduled for Monday, February 9.

Elections are being held in districts including Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, Dharashiv and Latur. As Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections are conducted simultaneously, each voter will cast two votes — one for the Zilla Parishad electoral division and another for the Panchayat Samiti electoral college. To facilitate the process, 25,482 polling stations have been established, supported by 51,537 control units and 1,10,329 ballot units of electronic voting machines.

The State Election Commission is using Assembly constituency voter lists prepared by the Election Commission of India, updated as of July 1, 2025. While no additions or deletions have been allowed, possible duplicate entries have been flagged with a double star. Voters can verify their details through the ‘Matadhikar’ mobile application or the official voter search website.

Special arrangements have been made at polling centres, with priority given to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and mothers with infants. Facilities such as temporary ramps, wheelchairs, electricity, drinking water, shade and toilets have been ensured. Polling stations with a high number of women voters will function as “Pink Polling Booths,” managed entirely by women officials.

Around 1.28 lakh election personnel, including Returning and Assistant Returning Officers, have been deployed. Politically, the BJP is aiming to replicate its recent local body poll success, while the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena hopes to expand its footprint. The NCP is banking on sympathy following the sudden demise of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, even as factional alliances shape the contest. Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) are contesting independently amid the absence of a united opposition front against the ruling Mahayuti.