Rajasthan High Court Orders Timely Schedule for Panchayat and Urban Local Elections

The Rajasthan High Court expressed strong displeasure over the continued postponement of Panchayat and urban local body elections in the state. In a hearing in Jaipur, the court directed the State Election Commission to submit a detailed election programme, including tentative dates, within five days and to present a final schedule by July 20. The bench also instructed the election commissioner to announce specific polling dates by the following Monday and warned that contempt proceedings could be initiated if the commission fails to comply.

The order follows an earlier 2025 directive that required the state to complete Panchayat and municipal elections by April 15, 2026. The state government had sought an extension to December, citing pending reports from the Other Backward Classes commission and logistical challenges. The court rejected the request, emphasizing that democratic institutions must be constituted on time and that any further delay would be unacceptable.