Gandhinagar, April 1, 2026: The much-awaited local self-government elections in Gujarat have officially kicked off, with the State Election Commission sounding the bugle for a massive democratic exercise across the state. Polling for thousands of seats in municipal corporations, municipalities, district panchayats, and taluka panchayats will take place on Saturday, April 26, while the counting of votes is scheduled for Monday, April 28.
The announcement comes as the final voter list is set to be released today following the completion of the Summary Revision (SIR) process. A press conference by the State Election Commission at 5 PM this evening is expected to reveal the full election schedule and other key details.
These elections will decide the fate of:
- 15 Municipal Corporations
- 84 Municipal Councils (Nagar Palikas)
- 34 District Panchayats
- 260 Taluka Panchayats
The Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect from today across the state, putting an end to any premature campaigning or administrative misuse until the results are declared. This move ensures a level playing field as political parties gear up for the polls.
With the terms of many local bodies having expired earlier, administrators were appointed temporarily, making these elections crucial for restoring elected governance. Political parties have already begun their groundwork — the BJP has deployed observers to major cities like Surat, Rajkot, and Vadodara, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has even released its first list of candidates.
The 2026 local body elections are expected to be a litmus test for all major parties ahead of future state and national polls, with development, urban infrastructure, and rural governance likely to dominate the campaign narrative.
Stay tuned for further updates as the election machinery moves into full swing!