India, Jan. 14 -- The State Election Commission (SEC) on Tuesday announced the schedule for the third phase of Maharashtra's local body elections, with polling for 12 zilla parishads (ZPs) and 125 panchayat samitis to be held on February 5. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on February 7.

State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said elections will be conducted in districts where caste-based reservation is below the 50% ceiling. The schedule for the remaining 22 zilla parishads will be announced after the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on reservations that exceed the 50% cap.

The zilla parishads going to polls include Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg in the Konkan division; Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sa...