Rajasthan Panchayat Elections Likely from March; Polls for Zila Parishads in April
Elections to Rajasthan’s Panchayati Raj institutions are expected to begin soon.
Elections to Rajasthan’s Panchayati Raj institutions are expected to begin soon, with the poll process likely starting in March. According to official sources, elections for Panch and Sarpanch may be held first, followed by elections for Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads in April.
Sources indicate that the notification for Panch–Sarpanch elections could be issued around 1 March, with polling expected to conclude by 20 March. These elections will be conducted through ballot papers. Nearly a month later, elections are likely for 437 Panchayat Samitis and 41 Zila Parishads across the state.
The State Election Commission (SEC) has already begun preparations after the state government approved elections in 14,781 Gram Panchayats, including newly formed ones. However, it is still unclear whether elections for Panch–Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad will be held simultaneously or in separate phases.
The SEC is also set to initiate the voter list revision process. According to sources, the revision programme will be announced on 1 January. This process will reflect additions, deletions and transfers of voters, followed by a lottery procedure. The draft voter list is expected to be published around 1 February, while the final voter list may be released on 1 March.
The commission aims to complete the Panch–Sarpanch elections within 15 days, treating them as a priority. Elections for Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads are likely to be conducted in April.
Meanwhile, the election process is also linked to the submission of the OBC reservation report. Sources suggest that the Panchayati Raj Department is expected to submit the report to the SEC by 31 December. This report will determine ward numbers and boundaries, and compliance with its recommendations will be mandatory. Once the report is submitted, voter lists will be finalized and the reservation lottery conducted, paving the way for formal notification of the elections.
