With preparations for the 2025–26 municipal elections gaining momentum, the Jharkhand State Election Commission has circulated a comprehensive set of disqualification guidelines to all districts. The instructions, issued by Commission Secretary Radhey Shyam Prasad, outline key eligibility conditions for candidates contesting for the posts of Mayor, Chairperson and Ward Member.
One of the major directives states that individuals with more than two children will not be allowed to contest the upcoming elections.
Candidates whose youngest child was born after February 9, 2013, will automatically be disqualified. The rule, the Commission said, will be enforced under the provisions of the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011.
For the first time, elections to all urban local bodies across Jharkhand will be held simultaneously, and the Commission has announced that preparations are nearly complete.
Cases involving candidates with more than three children have already been forwarded to the respective Deputy Commissioners for strict compliance.
The circular further clarifies that disqualification will be applicable only if the number of children increased after February 9, 2013. Candidates who already had more than two children on or before that date—and have had no addition since—will remain eligible.
Adopted children and twins will also be counted while determining the total number of children. Candidates will be required to attach a mandatory self-declaration form with their nomination papers.
In an additional directive, the Commission has made it clear that no candidate will be permitted to file nominations for the 2026 municipal elections unless all outstanding taxes, fees and rent are cleared.
While compound interest will not be applied to dues pending before February 9, 2013, payment of the principal amount along with simple interest is compulsory.
Any discrepancy found during verification of the self-declaration may lead to immediate rejection of the nomination. All dues must be cleared up to the 2024–25 financial year.
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