Date: 2026-02-24Category: Not ApplicableState: MaharashtraCountry: India
PART VIII EXT. No. 5, L. A. BILL No. II OF 2026
A BILL further to amend the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961.
Tuesday, 24th February 2026.
**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis (Amendment) Act, 2026, to amend the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961. The act, published on February 24, 2026, aims to incorporate changes addressing the State Election Commission's concerns regarding pending appeals in various courts. It repeals the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, effective from December 26, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendment of Section 14 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961:**
* Replaces sub-section (2) of Section 14 with a new provision stating that the State Government will formulate rules for conducting elections and will conduct elections following those rules.
* Adds a provision stating that the Election Officer's decision on accepting or rejecting nomination forms will be final and cannot be challenged in any court.
* **Repeal and Saving Clause:**
* Repeals the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.
* Ensures that any actions taken or proceedings initiated under the original Act, as amended by the repealed Ordinance, will be considered to have been done under the corresponding provisions of the amended Act.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government**
* **Impact:** The State Government is responsible for formulating rules for conducting elections for Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.
* **Action Required:** Formulate and implement new rules for conducting these elections.
**Stakeholder: Election Officer**
* **Impact:** The Election Officer's decision on accepting or rejecting nomination papers is final and not subject to judicial review.
* **Action Required:** To act as the sole decision-maker.
**Stakeholder: Judiciary**
* **Impact:** District Courts are no longer able to review the decision on accepting or rejecting nominations.
* **Action Required:** Cease to hear appeals related to the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers.
**Stakeholder: State Election Commission**
* **Impact:** The State Election Commission has been informed that appeals are no longer an issue.
* **Action Required:** Proceed to conduct elections.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961: The primary act being amended by the bill.
Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025: Ordinance being replaced by the act.
State Election Commission: Mentioned as informing the state government that appeals are pending and that an appeal to the district court on an election officer’s acceptance or rejection of a nomination is preventing the election commission from completing the election in a timely manner.