The landscape of local governance in Southern India is set for a transformative phase as the Telangana State Election Commission (TGSEC) officially sounds the poll bugle. In a comprehensive notification issued by State Election Commissioner I. Rani Kumudini, the government has outlined the roadmap for the 2nd Ordinary Elections to Municipalities and Municipal Corporations, 2026.
This election cycle is pivotal, covering 116 Municipalities and 7 Municipal Corporations across the state. With the model code of conduct now in effect, administrative machinery and political aspirants are shifting into high gear to engage an electorate of over 5.2 million voters.
The Official 2026 Telangana Municipal Election Schedule
The TGSEC has established a rapid, streamlined timeline to ensure the democratic process is completed within a three-week window. Adhering to the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019, the schedule is designed for maximum transparency and efficiency.
Key Dates and Deadlines
| Election Milestone | Date | Time/Details |
| Issue of Election Notice | January 28, 2026 | 10:30 AM (Nominations Open) |
| Display of Electoral Rolls | January 28, 2026 | Ward-wise list publication |
| Last Date for Nominations | January 30, 2026 | Until 5:00 PM |
| Scrutiny of Nominations | January 31, 2026 | From 11:00 AM onwards |
| Withdrawal of Candidature | February 3, 2026 | Until 3:00 PM |
| Date of Poll (Voting) | February 11, 2026 | 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Counting of Votes | February 13, 2026 | From 8:00 AM onwards |
| Declaration of Results | February 13, 2026 | Following counting completion |
District-Wise Breakdown: Municipalities and Ward Strengths
The 2026 elections involve a massive logistical undertaking, spanning 32 districts and involving 2,582 municipal ward members. Understanding the distribution of these seats is essential for both voters and political analysts.
Major Municipal Contests by District
Northern Telangana Districts
- Adilabad: The Adilabad municipality leads with 49 wards.
- Nirmal: Includes Bhainsa (26), Khanapur (12), and Nirmal (42).
- Jagtial: A major hub with Jagtiyal (50 wards), Korutla (33), and Metpalli (26).
- Nizamabad: Significant contests in Bodhan (38) and Armur (36).
Central and Eastern Telangana
- Warangal & Hanumakonda: Narsampet (30) and Parkal (22) are key battlegrounds.
- Khammam: Features Edulapuram (32), Madhira (22), and Sattupalli (23).
- Siddipet: Includes Gajwel, Dubbaka, and Husnabad, each with 20 wards.
Southern Telangana & Hyderabad Peripheral Districts
- Ranga Reddy: Key areas like Shadnagar (28), Moinabad (26), and Ibrahimpatnam (24) will see high engagement.
- Sangareddy: This district hosts a large number of ULBs, including Sangareddy (38), Zaheerabad (37), and Isnapur (26).
- Mahabubnagar: Devarakadra (12) and Bhoothpur (10) are among the participating ULBs.
The Big Seven: Municipal Corporations in Focus
While the municipalities form the grassroots base, the 7 Municipal Corporations represent the urban powerhouses of the state. A total of 414 ward members (Corporators) will be elected across these entities.
Corporation Seat Matrix
| Municipal Corporation | District | Number of Wards |
| Karimnagar | Karimnagar | 66 |
| Ramagundam | Peddapalli | 60 |
| Nizamabad | Nizamabad | 60 |
| Mahaboobnagar | Mahabubnagar | 60 |
| Mancherial | Mancherial | 60 |
| Kothagudem | Bhadradri Kothagudem | 60 |
| Nalgonda | Nalgonda | 48 |
Full Ward Member Count for Municipalities in Telangana (2026 Elections)
The following table provides the complete breakdown of all 116 Municipalities scheduled for the 2nd Ordinary Elections in 2026, organized by district. The total number of ward members to be elected across these municipalities is 2,582.
| District | Municipality Name | No. of Ward Members |
| Jangaon | Jangaon | 30 |
| Station Ghanpur | 18 | |
| Warangal | Narsampet | 30 |
| Wardhannapet | 12 | |
| Hanumakonda | Parkal | 22 |
| Mahabubabad | Mahabubabad | 36 |
| Dornakal | 15 | |
| Kesamudram | 16 | |
| Maripeda | 15 | |
| Thorrur | 16 | |
| Jayashankar Bhupalpally | Bhupalpally | 30 |
| Karimnagar | Huzurabad | 30 |
| Jammikunta | 30 | |
| Choppadandi | 14 | |
| Jagtial | Jagtiyal | 50 |
| Korutla | 33 | |
| Metpalli | 26 | |
| Dharmapuri | 15 | |
| Raikal | 12 | |
| Rajanna Sircilla | Sircilla | 39 |
| Vemulavada | 28 | |
| Peddapalli | Peddapalli | 36 |
| Manthani | 13 | |
| Sulthanabad | 15 | |
| Khammam | Madhira | 22 |
| Sattupalli | 23 | |
| Wyra | 20 | |
| Edulapuram | 32 | |
| Kalluru | 20 | |
| Bhadradri Kothagudem | Aswaraopeta | 22 |
| Yellandu | 24 | |
| Adilabad | Adilabad | 49 |
| Nirmal | Nirmal | 42 |
| Bhainsa | 26 | |
| Khanapur | 12 | |
| Kumarambheem Asifabad | Asifabad | 20 |
| Kagaznagar | 30 | |
| Mancherial | Bellampally | 34 |
| Chennur | 18 | |
| Kyathanpally | 22 | |
| Luxettipet | 15 | |
| Ranga Reddy | Ibrahimpatnam | 24 |
| Shadnagar | 28 | |
| Amangal | 15 | |
| Chevella | 18 | |
| Moinabad | 26 | |
| Shankarpally | 15 | |
| Vikarabad | Vikarabad | 34 |
| Tandur | 36 | |
| Parigi | 18 | |
| Kodangal | 12 | |
| Medchal-Malkajgiri | Aliyabad | 20 |
| Muduchinthalapally | 24 | |
| Yellampet | 24 | |
| Nizamabad | Armur | 36 |
| Bodhan | 38 | |
| Bheemgal | 12 | |
| Kamareddy | Kamareddy | 49 |
| Banswada | 19 | |
| Bichkunda | 12 | |
| Yellareddy | 12 | |
| Yadadri Bhuvanagiri | Bhongir | 35 |
| Choutuppal | 20 | |
| Alair | 12 | |
| Mothkur | 12 | |
| Pochampally | 13 | |
| Yadagirigutta | 12 | |
| Suryapet | Suryapet | 48 |
| Kodad | 35 | |
| Huzurnagar | 28 | |
| Neredcherla | 15 | |
| Tirumalagiri | 15 | |
| Nalgonda | Miryalguda | 48 |
| Devarakonda | 20 | |
| Chandur | 10 | |
| Chityal | 12 | |
| Haliya | 12 | |
| Nandikonda | 12 | |
| Siddipet | Dubbaka | 20 |
| Gajwel | 20 | |
| Husnabad | 20 | |
| Cherial | 12 | |
| Sangareddy | Sangareddy | 38 |
| Zaheerabad | 37 | |
| Sadasivapet | 26 | |
| Isnapur | 26 | |
| Andole-Jogipet | 20 | |
| Gummadidala | 22 | |
| Jinnaram | 20 | |
| Gaddapotharam | 18 | |
| Indresham | 18 | |
| Kohir | 16 | |
| Narayankhed | 15 | |
| Medak | Medak | 32 |
| Narsapur | 15 | |
| Ramayampet | 12 | |
| Thoopran | 16 | |
| Mahabubnagar | Devarakadra | 12 |
| Bhoothpur | 10 | |
| Narayanpet | Narayanapet | 24 |
| Kosgi | 16 | |
| Maddur | 16 | |
| Makthal | 16 | |
| Jogulamba Gadwal | Gadwal | 37 |
| Ieeja | 20 | |
| Alampur | 10 | |
| Waddepalle | 10 | |
| Wanaparthy | Wanaparthy | 33 |
| Kothakota | 15 | |
| Pebbair | 12 | |
| Amarchinta | 10 | |
| Atmakur | 10 | |
| Nagarkurnool | Nagarkurnool | 24 |
| Kalwakurthy | 22 | |
| Kollapur | 19 | |
| Mulugu | Mulugu | 20 |
Election Administration and Voter Security
To manage the scale of these elections, the State Election Commission has deployed a massive workforce and implemented modern monitoring techniques.
- Infrastructure: The TGSEC has prepared 8,203 polling stations and 16,031 ballot boxes to facilitate the paper-ballot voting process.
- Personnel: Over 31,000 election staff, including 1,379 Returning Officers and 742 Zonal Officers, have been assigned to ensure the polls remain free and fair.
- Digital Monitoring: For the first time, the commission plans to implement webcasting at all polling stations to provide real-time oversight and prevent electoral malpractices.
- Voter Turnout Goals: Following the successful Gram Panchayat elections which saw an 85% turnout, Commissioner Rani Kumudini has urged urban voters to exceed this record, comparing the civic duty to the enthusiasm seen during the Medaram Jatara.
Post-Election: Electing Mayors and Chairpersons
The democratic process doesn’t end on February 13. Once the ward members and corporators are declared, the focus shifts to the election of the executive heads of these local bodies.
- Notification for Special Meetings: On February 14, a notification will be issued to convene meetings for electing Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons, and Vice-Chairpersons.
- Swearing-in Ceremony: Elected members will take their oaths at 11:00 AM on February 16.
- Indirect Elections: The election for the positions of Mayor/Chairperson will commence at 12:30 PM on the same day. If a quorum is not met or an election is stalled, the process will resume on February 17.
Conclusion: A Call to Civic Action
The 2026 Municipal Elections represent a critical opportunity for the citizens of Telangana to shape the future of their cities and towns. From infrastructure development in burgeoning hubs like Badangpet and Peerzadiguda to the historical streets of Sircilla and Jagtiyal, every vote cast on February 11 will dictate the quality of local governance for the next five years.
Whether you are a first-time voter or a seasoned participant in the democratic process, ensuring your name is on the electoral roll is the first step toward urban renewal.