Arunachal to Hold Simultaneous Panchayat and Municipal Elections on December 15

The State Election Commission of Arunachal Pradesh has formally announced the complete schedule for the upcoming simultaneous general elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the municipal bodies of Itanagar and Pasighat, marking a significant electoral exercise in the state. These elections will be conducted in a single phase on December 15, 2025, ensuring that both rural and urban local governance systems go to the polls together for administrative efficiency and better coordination.

According to the official press note dated November 15, the election process will commence with the issuance of the notification and public notice by the respective Returning Officers on November 17, 2025. This will formally open the window for prospective candidates to file their nomination papers for various posts under the PRI and municipal bodies. The Commission has set November 24 as the last date for filing nominations, giving candidates a one-week period to complete and submit their required documents and declarations.

Following the submission period, all nominations filed will undergo the mandatory scrutiny process on November 26, during which election officials will examine the validity of each nomination paper. This includes verifying the eligibility of candidates, checking compliance with required documentation, and ensuring that all legal conditions are met. Any nomination found defective or in violation of electoral guidelines may be rejected during this stage.

Candidates who wish to withdraw their nomination after scrutiny may do so until November 29, which is the final date for withdrawal. After this deadline, the final list of contesting candidates will be published, and the official campaigning period will intensify across the involved constituencies.

The polling itself is scheduled for December 15, 2025, and will be conducted across multiple polling stations set up in both rural and urban areas under the Panchayati Raj system and the two municipal regions. The Commission will take measures to ensure free, fair, and peaceful voting, with proper deployment of security personnel, election staff, and logistical arrangements.

Once polling concludes, the counting of votes is set to take place on December 20, 2025. On this day, votes cast across the PRIs and municipal bodies will be tallied under strict supervision to ensure transparency and accuracy. The results will determine the new elected representatives responsible for overseeing grassroots governance and municipal administration in their respective areas.

The State Election Commission has further stated that the entire election process is expected to be completed by December 23, 2025, by which all formalities—including the declaration of results, submission of reports, and completion of administrative paperwork—will be finalized.

Overall, the schedule reflects a structured and well-coordinated plan for conducting large-scale local body elections, aiming to strengthen democratic participation at the grassroots level in Arunachal Pradesh.