Voting to elect Councillors and Corporators in Telangana Municipal Polls 2026 began at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11. The polls cover 2,569 wards in 116 municipalities and 412 wards in seven municipal corporations across the state. The ruling Congress, fresh from a big win in last December's Gram Panchayat elections, aims to consolidate power. The BJP hopes to emerge as a strong alternative to both Congress and BRS. The BRS, which faced defeats in the 2023 assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, performed well in the Gram Panchayat polls and is eager to gain ground in these municipal elections to turn its fortunes around. Polling will close at 5 p.m., with re-polling scheduled for February 12 if needed. Votes will be counted on February 13 and results announced soon after. The elected members will take oath at 11 a.m. on February 16, followed by indirect elections for Mayor or Chairperson and Deputy Mayor or Vice Chairperson positions.