The State Election Commission has announced by-elections for seven vacant panchayat posts in six districts of Madhya Pradesh, with polling scheduled for December 4. The programme was issued by Commission Secretary Dinesh Shrivastava through an official order dated November 4. The correct breakup, as per Annexure-2 of the Commission’s order, is one Sarpanch, five Janpad Panchayat members and one Zila Panchayat member. Khandwa will witness two contests, one for Zila Panchayat member from Ward 06 and one for Janpad Panchayat member from Ward 01. Dindori will elect one Sarpanch. The remaining Janpad Panchayat contests are in Ujjain (Ward 02), Khargone (Ward 20), Gwalior (Ward 09) and Dhar (Ward 01).

 

Nominations will be accepted from November 12 to November 19, between 10:30 am and 3:00 pm. Nominations will also be accepted on Saturday. Scrutiny of papers will take place on November 20, while candidates can withdraw their names till 3:00 pm on November 23. Election symbols will be allotted on the same day, after the withdrawal process. If required, then voting will be held on December 4 from 7 am to 3 pm. The Commission has decided that voting for the Sarpanch post will also be conducted through EVMs, and voters will get the NOTA, None of the Above option. Counting will begin at 8 am on December 8 at the respective block headquarters. Tabulation and declaration of results for Sarpanch and Janpad Panchayat members will take place the same day from 10:30 am. For the Zila Panchayat member, tabulation and declaration will be held at the district headquarters on December 9 from 10:30 am. The elections will be held on the voter list finally published on July 27, 2026, based on January 1, 2026 as the qualifying date. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force in the concerned panchayat and ward areas and will remain effective till the declaration of results.