Odisha Municipal Elections: Ward Delimitation, Seat Reservation Process to Be Completed by October 31

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has set in motion the process for delimitation of wards and reservation of seats for the forthcoming general elections to municipalities and Notified Area Councils (NACs), with the entire exercise scheduled to be completed by October 31, 2026.

In a letter, Arindam Dakua, Director, Municipal Administration, the Housing & Urban Development Department directed all Collectors and District Magistrates, except Boudh, to complete the delimitation of municipal wards and reservation of seats within the stipulated timeframe.

The move comes ahead of the expiry of the five-year terms of the councils of the municipalities and NACs concerned on April 6, 2027. The State Election Commission, Odisha, has asked the State Government to complete the statutory process sufficiently in advance so that further action for conducting the elections can be taken.

Under the schedule approved by the Government, District Magistrates have been asked to issue draft notifications on ward delimitation and reservation of seats by September 19, 2026 and invite objections and suggestions from the public.

The last date for receipt of objections and suggestions is September 28. Subsequently, the provisional notification relating to delimitation of wards and reservation of seats is scheduled to be published on October 1.

The schedule provides an opportunity for the persons to appeal against the notification. Appeals relating to delimitation of wards and reservation of seats can be filed before the State Government between October 1 and October 15.

The appellate authority will hear the appeals between October 23 and October 28. Following disposal of the appeals, the concerned District Magistrates will make necessary changes, wherever required, and issue the final notification under Section 12(3) of the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950, by October 31.

The department has also instructed District Magistrates to forward any appeal petitions received, along with their specific comments on each appeal, to the Director, Municipal Administration, through a special messenger on or before October 16.

According to the department, the District Magistrates are empowered under the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950 and the relevant rules to undertake the division of municipal areas into wards and reservation of seats after inviting objections and suggestions.

The completed final notifications will subsequently be forwarded to the State Election Commission, Odisha, the State Government and the respective municipality/NAC, paving the way for the next stage of the electoral process.