The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced a strict ban on all election-related advertisements once the official campaign period ends for the upcoming civic body elections. The directive applies to all forms of media, including television, newspapers, digital platforms, and social media.
State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare made the announcement during a meeting with representatives of recognised political parties in Mumbai. He said the decision is aimed at ensuring fair and transparent elections and follows the legal requirement of a 48-hour silence period before polling.
According to the commission, public campaigning for the municipal corporation elections will officially end at 5.30 pm on January 13, 2026. From that time onwards, no political advertisements will be allowed in any media format. This rule will apply equally to all political parties, candidates, and their supporters.
Polling for 29 civic bodies across Maharashtra is scheduled for January 15, 2026. Voting will take place between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm, and the counting of votes will be held the next day. The campaign silence period begins exactly 48 hours before the end of polling time, as mandated by election laws.
Commissioner Waghmare clarified that once the campaign period ends, there will be no permission granted for political advertisements in print media. He said even pre-certification of ads will not be allowed, as political advertising itself becomes prohibited during the silence period.
The Election Commission referred to its detailed guidelines issued on October 9, 2025, titled “Media Monitoring and Advertisement Certification Order for Election Purposes, 2025”. These rules are binding and are meant to prevent any last-minute attempts to influence voters.
During the meeting, Commission Secretary Suresh Kakani also explained important rules related to the nomination process. He said a candidate’s name must be included in the voter list of the concerned municipal corporation. In addition, the proposer and seconder must be registered voters from the same ward where the candidate is contesting.
He further clarified that a candidate can file nomination papers from more than one ward but is allowed to contest only one seat. For each seat, a maximum of four nomination papers can be submitted.
The commission stressed that strict enforcement of campaign silence and nomination rules is necessary to maintain the fairness, credibility, and integrity of the civic elections in Maharashtra.
