CHANDIGARH – The Haryana State Election Commission (SEC) is set to officially kickstart the democratic process today, Monday, April 13, 2026, by announcing the schedule for high-stakes urban local body elections and extensive rural by-elections.
With the formal announcement scheduled for 11:30 AM, the Model Code of Conduct will immediately take effect across the concerned districts, bringing all new developmental announcements and administrative transfers to a halt in those jurisdictions.
Urban Centres Head to the Polls
The upcoming elections will see three major Municipal Corporations—Panchkula, Sonipat, and Ambala—returning to the polls to elect fresh leadership. These urban hubs are critical political battlegrounds that often serve as a bellwether for the state’s political temperature.
In addition to the corporations, the following urban local bodies are included in the schedule:
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Municipal Council: Rewari
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Municipal Committees: Sampla, Dharuhera, and Uklana
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By-elections: Single vacant wards in six additional civic bodies.
Massive Rural By-Elections and New Panchayats
While the urban areas focus on corporations, the rural landscape will see a flurry of activity across 540 Panchayats. The Commission aims to fill a significant number of vacancies to ensure the smooth functioning of grassroots governance.
Vacancy Breakdown:
| Position | Vacant Seats |
| Zila Parishad (District Council) | 2 |
| Panchayat Samiti Members | 11 |
| Sarpanches (Village Heads) | 32 |
| Panches (Ward Members) | 495 |
Notably, the SEC has also included elections for newly constituted Panchayats. Residents of Mandi Adampur and Jawahar Nagar in Hisar, along with Poler and Kobipur in Kaithal, will vote for the first time under their newly defined administrative boundaries.
Strict Vigilance and Preparation
The State Election Commission has finalized the electoral rolls and polling station logistics. Security arrangements are expected to be tightened, particularly in sensitive wards.
“The objective is to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election process. With the Model Code of Conduct in place from 11:30 AM today, any violation will be met with strict administrative action,” noted an official source from the Commission.
Local political parties have already begun internal deliberations to finalize candidates, as these elections are seen as a crucial test of local-level strength ahead of larger state-wide political cycles.
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