The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has postponed the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections to February 7 from the original date of February 5. The change is due to a three-day mourning period declared in the state following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28, 2026. "As a three-day mourning period has been declared in the state due to the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the remaining phases of the general elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis will be held on February 7, while counting of votes will be done on February 9," said the SEC. The election schedule was first announced on January 13. Since then, nomination filings, withdrawals, symbol allocations, and the publication of final candidate lists have been completed. Now, voting and counting are next steps. The Supreme Court had granted a two-week extension beyond the original deadline of January 31 for these elections. Due to the Deputy CM's death, the state government declared mourning from January 28 to 30, leading to the rescheduling. The district collector will publish the updated timetable by January 31. Public campaigning will end on February 5 at 10 p.m. After results are announced, the model code of conduct will lift. The names of all elected members will be officially published in the Government Gazette by February 11.