Many candidates will be disqualified due to the strict rules of the Commission.
State Bureau, Ranchi. The hustle and bustle of 2026 municipal elections in Jharkhand has intensified. The State Election Commission has imposed strict rules, due to which many potential candidates will be directly out of the election race. Commission Secretary Radheshyam Prasad has issued instructions to all the districts and made it clear that people from certain categories will not be able to file nomination for mayor, president or ward councilor.
These are the main rules that will stop the candidates
Age game: To become a ward councilor, minimum age is 21 years, while for the post of mayor or president, the minimum age is 30 years. If the age is less at the time of nomination then the nomination will be immediately rejected.
If the limit of two children is broken then you will be out.
If someone's third or more child is born after February 9, 2013, then he will not be able to contest the elections. However, if the third child does not survive (died) after birth then the candidate will remain eligible. Twins and adopted children will also be included in the count. If there were more than two children before February 9, 2013 and no more after that, then there is no problem. This rule is to promote population control.
Missed three meetings in a row? out now
If any member previously elected in the body remains absent from three consecutive meetings without reason, he will not be given a ticket in the next election. The commission will check the records.
Absconding for more than six months? nomination rejected
If someone is declared absconding in a criminal case for more than six months, then he will not be able to contest elections. Investigation will be done from police and court records.
Expenses not accounted for? debar
In the last election, if someone did not submit complete details of election expenses on time or any irregularities were found, the Commission can disqualify him.
Additional Strictness: If at the time of nomination, the candidate has outstanding dues of any holding tax, fee or rent from the municipal body or district administration, then the nomination will be cancelled. It is mandatory to pay the dues and a no dues certificate will also be issued. Strict action will be taken if a wrong affidavit is given.
Elections in 48-49 urban bodies (Municipal Corporation, Council, Panchayat) of Jharkhand are possible in February-March 2026. Reservation list has also been released, like the one reserved for Mayor ST in Ranchi. The Commission has given strict instructions to all DCs to follow these rules.
Political parties and candidates will now have to fulfill these conditions, otherwise they will be out even before nomination.