The Government of Maharashtra, on August 3, 2026, promulgated the Maharashtra Village Panchayats and Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 to amend the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act, 1959 and the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961. The Ordinance came into force immediately and was issued as both Houses of the State Legislature were not in session.
The Ordinance extends relief to candidates elected to reserved posts in elections held on or after February 9, 2026, but before the commencement of the Ordinance, by allowing them twelve months from the date of declaration of election to produce the required Validity Certificate. Failure to submit the certificate within this extended period will result in retrospective termination of the election and disqualification from holding the office of Member, Sarpanch, Councillor, President or Chairman, as applicable.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons explains that the amendment was necessitated due to delays in the issuance of caste validity certificates caused by a large number of simultaneous local body elections and the consequent workload on Scrutiny Committees. The Ordinance aims to ensure that elected representatives awaiting validity certificates are not disqualified solely due to administrative delays beyond their control.
[ORD X OF 2026]
