Women Power in Jharkhand Why Female Voters are the Kingmakers in 14 Urban Bodies:

The upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in Jharkhand, scheduled for late February 2026, are set to witness a historic dynamic where women voters will significantly influence the results in 14 out of 48 urban bodies.

In these specific areas, the number of female voters exceeds that of male voters, making their support crucial for any candidate's victory.

Election Schedule

Voting Day: February 23, 2026.

Counting Day: February 27, 2026.

Format: These elections are not fought on official political party symbols, though candidates often have the backing of major parties like JMM, BJP, or Congress.

The 14 Women-Dominant Bodies

The urban bodies where female voters outnumber males include:

Giridih Municipal Corporation

Madhupur Municipal Council (Deoghar)

Lohardaga Municipal Council

Gumla Municipal Council (Highest gap: 18,763 females vs 16,819 males)

Simdega Municipal Council

Chakradharpur Municipal Council (West Singhbhum)

Chaibasa Municipal Council (West Singhbhum)

Kapali Municipal Council (Seraikela-Kharsawan)

Koderma Nagar Panchayat

Domchanch Nagar Panchayat (Koderma)

Jamtara Nagar Panchayat

Bundu Nagar Panchayat (Ranchi)

Khunti Nagar Panchayat

Chakulia Nagar Panchayat (East Singhbhum)

Key Statistics

Total Candidates: 6,555 people are in the fray across 48 ULBs.

Mayoral/Presidential Posts: 598 candidates.

Ward Councilor Posts: 5,957 candidates.

Controversy Over Voter Lists

The Leader of the Opposition, Babulal Marandi, has raised objections to the election being conducted based on the October 2024 voter list. He argues that this excludes millions of new voters who have registered or transferred their names over the last 15 months, calling it a violation of democratic spirit.