The Jharkhand Election Commission has finally revealed the timetable for elections in 48 urban local bodies in the state. Polling is scheduled for February 23, with vote counting set for February 27. State Election Commissioner Alka Tiwari disclosed the schedule during a press conference in Ranchi, activating the Model Code of Conduct in all 48 municipal areas.
The election process will kick off on February 4 with nomination submissions, followed by scrutiny and a withdrawal deadline of February 6. Allocation of election symbols is slated for February 7. Voting will occur on February 23 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. across the state, with results to be announced on February 27.
These elections, encompassing 48 urban local bodies comprising 1,087 wards, will be conducted using ballot papers and on a non-party basis. Voters must select from contesting candidates as the NOTA option will not be available. Reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, and Other Backward Classes have been introduced for the first time in all municipal bodies in the state.
In the municipal corporations, specific posts have been reserved for different categories like Scheduled Tribes, women, and Extremely Backward Class-I. Similarly, in municipal councils, certain posts will be unreserved while others are reserved for women. The upcoming municipal elections in key cities such as Ranchi, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Deoghar are anticipated to draw significant attention across Jharkhand.
