Patna. The 2026 Panchayat elections in Bihar may not have been formally announced yet, but the political atmosphere has already started heating up. The reason for this is the change in the reservation cycle and the ongoing discussions regarding the educational qualification of the representatives. Both issues have raised new concerns about the future of rural leadership and panchayat representatives.
Why will the 2026 election be different than 2021?
In fact, in the 2021 Panchayat elections, a large number of 8,072 Mukhiya posts in Bihar were in the general category, while women got a total of 3,585 posts. But according to the Panchayati Raj Act, the reservation cycle mandatorily changes after every two elections. Since both 2016 and 2021 occurred under the same cycle, the entire system will be reset in 2026.
The direct effect of this change will be that many general seats will now be converted into reserved category, while many reserved seats will be converted into general category. Because of this, it will not be possible for many current public representatives to contest elections again from their own posts. Especially those Mukhiyas who had won from the general seat, if their seat is now reserved for OBC, SC or ST, then they will lose their eligibility to contest the elections.
Basis of reservation: Population and limit of 50%
There is a clear provision in the Panchayati Raj Act that reservation for SC-ST will be decided only on the basis of population ratio. Also, the total reservation of all categories cannot cross the limit of 50 percent. 50 percent reservation will be mandatory for women in each category.
Due to this rule, the population figures of Panchayats of every block will be reviewed once again. As soon as the reservation list is released, electoral equations will be created afresh in the Panchayats and the political balance will completely change in many areas.
Election picture: Changes will increase the stir
The change in the reservation cycle on the one hand and the possible educational eligibility on the other hand have both made the 2026 elections extremely important. New equations will be formed in Panchayats, old leadership will face challenges, and new faces with new energy can join politics. As the elections approach and the reservation list comes out, there is every possibility that the turmoil in Panchayat politics will intensify. The coming months will prove to be decisive for the changes taking place at the Panchayat level.
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