Assam panchayat elections: A political test run before 2026 assembly polls

After six years, Assam will be having a panchayat election.

- ABHIJIT DEB

The announcement of the panchayat election dates in the state has set the stage for local-level polls, which is being qualified as an indicator of the political mood of the voters. In Assam, the panchayat polls are more so important with assembly elections knocking at the door slated for 2026.

However, the panchayat elections this time around come with a rider: the Assam State Election Commission has mandated that candidates contesting in the gaon panchayat elections will not be allowed to use any political party symbol. The decision was taken with an aim to keep the self-governance apolitical in nature and free from political influence.

While the move limits a political party's direct involvement, which they would have liked to do by using the elections to test the electoral waters before assembly elections, it does not entirely eliminate their involvement.

Political parties can still sponsor candidates for the Anchalik Panchayat and Zila Panchayat seats, where party affiliations will be evident. The elections are scheduled to take place in two phases, on 2 May and 7 May, with results to be declared on 11 May 2025.

Assam has a three-tier panchayat system, with 181 anchalik panchayats, 27 zila panchayats and 2,193 gaon panchayats. This means that 21,930 gaon panchayat seats will witness an apolitical contest, while anchalik and zila panchayat elections will see political backing.