Telangana Municipal Polls 2026 Voting Underway Across 116 Municipalities, 7 Corporations
Hyderabad, February 11, 2026: Voting for the Telangana Municipal Polls-2026 commenced at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday across the State, marking a significant political event that is expected to shape the urban governance landscape for the coming years. The polling process is being conducted in 2,569 wards across 116 Municipalities and 412 wards in seven Municipal Corporations, covering urban local bodies across Telangana.
Voters are electing Councillors and Corporators, who will play a key role in municipal administration, development planning, and local governance. Polling will continue until 5:00 p.m. Officials have put in place elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful voting, including deployment of adequate security personnel and monitoring teams.
In case of any disturbances or procedural issues, re-polling, if necessary, will be held on February 12. The counting of votes is scheduled for February 13, and results are expected to be declared soon after the counting process concludes.
High-Stakes Political Battle
The Telangana Municipal Polls-2026 are being closely watched as a crucial political test for all major parties in the State.
After registering a significant victory in the Gram Panchayat elections held in December last year, the ruling Congress party is aiming to consolidate its position as the dominant political force in Telangana. The party views these municipal elections as an opportunity to strengthen its urban support base and reaffirm public confidence in its governance.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, is striving to emerge as a credible and strong alternative to both the Congress and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The party hopes to expand its footprint in urban Telangana and improve upon its past performances.
For the BRS, these elections carry added significance. After facing setbacks in the 2023 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party managed a respectable performance in the recent Gram Panchayat elections. It is now keen to convert that momentum into substantial gains in the municipal elections to revive its political fortunes.
Political analysts believe the results of these urban local body polls will offer key insights into shifting voter preferences and party strengths in Telangana ahead of future electoral contests.
Administrative Timeline
The election process does not conclude with the declaration of results. The next phase involves the formal constitution of municipal bodies:
- February 13: Counting of votes
- Soon after counting: Declaration of results
- February 16 at 11:00 a.m.: Oath-taking ceremony for newly elected Ward Members (Councillors/Corporators)
- Following the oath ceremony, indirect elections will be conducted for the posts of Mayor/Chairperson and Deputy Mayor/Vice Chairperson.
These indirect elections will determine the leadership of municipal corporations and municipalities, further intensifying political negotiations and alliances where no party secures a clear majority.
Crucial Moment for Urban Governance
With thousands of candidates in the fray and lakhs of voters participating, the Telangana Municipal Polls-2026 represent a significant moment for grassroots democracy in urban areas. The elected representatives will be responsible for key civic issues such as infrastructure development, sanitation, drinking water supply, urban planning, and welfare implementation.
As voting continues across the State, attention now turns to voter turnout percentages and the eventual outcome, which could reshape Telangana’s urban political landscape.