Rajasthan announces panchayat polls in four phases, voting from October 23

Rajasthan will hold the 2026 general elections to its Panchayati Raj institutions in four phases, the State Election Commission announced on October 3.The elections will cover 41 Zila Parishads, 457 Panchayat Samitis and 14,403 Gram Panchayats. Voting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members will begin on October 23, while elections for Sarpanch and Ward Panchs will be held in four phases from October 25.A total of 1,403 Zila Parishad members and 8,245 Panchayat Samiti members will be elected. The polls will also elect 41 Zila Pramukhs and 457 Pradhans.FOUR-PHASE ELECTION SCHEDULEThe first phase of the election process will begin with the issuance of the election notice on October 8. The notices for the second, third and fourth phases will be issued on October 13, October 19 and October 31, respectively. For Panchayat Samiti members, nominations for the first phase can be filed until October 13, between 11 am and 3 pm. Scrutiny will take place on October 14, while candidates can withdraw their candidature and receive symbols until 3 pm on October 15.The corresponding nomination process for the subsequent phases will take place according to the notified schedule. For Zila Parishad members, the nomination schedule will align with Phase I, with the election notice on October 8, nomination deadline on October 13, scrutiny on October 14 and withdrawal on October 15.WHEN WILL VOTING TAKE PLACE?Voting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members will be held in four phases:Phase I: October 23Phase II: October 29Phase III: November 4Phase IV: November 14Polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm.Elections for Panch and Sarpanch posts will follow each phase:Phase I: October 25Phase II: October 31Phase III: November 6Phase IV: November 16Nomination filing for Panch and Sarpanch elections will take place from 8 am to 11 am, on October 24, October 30, November 5 and November 15 for the four phases respectively.Counting for Panch and Sarpanch elections will begin immediately after polling ends on the same day at the respective Gram Panchayat headquarters.The Up-Sarpanch elections will be held on October 26, November 1, November 7 and November 17 for the four phases.COUNTING OF ZILA PARISHAD, PANCHAYAT SAMITI VOTESCounting of votes for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members across all four phases will be held on November 20 from 8 am.The election process for the leadership posts will then be completed through indirect elections.The Zila Pramukh will be elected on November 25, followed by the Up-Zila Pramukh election on November 26.The election of Pradhans will take place on November 27, followed by the election of Up-Pradhans on November 28.BALLOT PAPERS AND EVMsThe State Election Commission will use paper ballot boxes for Sarpanch and Ward Panch elections, while elections for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members will be conducted through EVMs.There will be 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions.The total electorate comprises 51.82 per cent male voters and 48.18 per cent female voters. Jaipur has the highest number of voters at 18.99 lakh, while Jaisalmer has the lowest at 4.36 lakh.MODEL CODE OF CONDUCTThe Model Code of Conduct has come into force in rural areas following the announcement of the election schedule.The restrictions include a ban on transfers and restrictions on the use of official vehicles by ministers and government guest houses and dak bungalows.The election helpline number is 1950.- Ends