# Rajasthan Panchayati Raj election rollout and voting phases > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rajasthan-panchayati-raj-election-preparations > Updated: 2026-10-26T03:50:48.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 10. Preparations for the 2026 Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan progressed from administrative planning to active voting phases. Early preparations involved the establishment of specialized cells in districts like Jaipur and Ajmer to manage voter lists, polling stations, and EVM logistics. To accommodate religious sentiments regarding the Dhanteras festival, the State Election Commission rescheduled the first three phases, moving Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polling forward by one day. To ensure transparency, strict spending caps were established: 3 lakh rupees for District Council candidates, 1.5 lakh for Panchayat Samiti members, and 1 lakh for Gram Panchayat Sarpanch candidates. Additionally, authorities in Udaipur issued directives requiring all election-related printed materials to clearly display the printer and publisher’s details to comply with the Representation of the People Act. The election process is currently underway. The first phase for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members commenced on October 22, covering 16 Zila Parishads and 104 Panchayat Samitis. Approximately 85.07 lakh eligible voters participated to elect members for 293 Zila Parishad wards and 1,788 Panchayat Samiti wards. Elections for Panches and Sarpanches began on October 24/25. In a departure from previous cycles, these positions are being contested using ballot papers rather than EVMs, with voters casting separate votes for Sarpanch and Ward Panch. The first phase of these elections covered 3,314 Gram Panchayats across 16 districts, with approximately 25,000 candidates contesting for Sarpanch positions. The State Election Commission reported a final voter turnout of 83.05 percent for this phase, with the highest turnout at 93.03 percent in the Sedwa Panchayat Samiti of Barmer district. Official results for 2,445 Sarpanchs have been announced. Following the Sarpanch elections, elected ward panches cast votes on October 25 to select deputy heads (Up-Sarpanchs). ## Claims - The State Election Commission has announced the schedule for the 2026 Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The Model Code of Conduct has come into force in rural areas following the announcement. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The elections will be conducted in four phases. (corroborated by 6 sources) - More than 40 million voters are eligible to participate in the elections. (corroborated by 5 sources) - EVMs will be used for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, while ballot papers will be used for Sarpanch and Ward Panch elections. (corroborated by 5 sources) - A total of 155,138 public representatives will be elected across the state. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The nomination process begins on October 8, 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - A 50 percent reservation for women is implemented in the Panchayati Raj institutions. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Rajasthan Panchayat elections: First phase results announced Rajasthan's first phase of Panchayat elections saw an 83.05% turnout across 16 districts, with Sarpanch and Up-Sarpanch results being processed as the second phase approaches. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-panchayat-elections-first-phase-results-announced ### 2026-10-23: Rajasthan conducts first phase of panchayat elections Rajasthan has launched the first phase of its panchayat elections, with voting occurring in 3,314 Gram Panchayats using ballot papers to elect Sarpanchs and Ward Panchs. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-panchayat-elections-2026-begin-with-first-phase-of-voting ### 2026-10-21: Rajasthan holds first phase of Panchayati Raj elections The first phase of Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj elections saw 85.07 lakh voters cast ballots for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members across 16 districts. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-panchayat-elections-voting-scheduled-for-ajmer-and-jaipur ### 2026-10-09: BJP adopts urban election strategy for Rajasthan panchayat polls The BJP is adopting its successful urban local body election strategy for Rajasthan's upcoming panchayat elections, including a village development manifesto and specific candidate selection processes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bjp-adopts-urban-election-strategy-for-rajasthan-panchayat-polls ### 2026-10-06: Rajasthan Panchayat elections face youth influence and staff voting hurdles Young voters will play a decisive role in Rajasthan's Panchayat elections, while nearly 300,000 election staff members face disenfranchisement due to a lack of postal ballot provisions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-panchayat-elections-face-youth-influence-and-staff-voting-hurdles ### 2026-10-06: Rajasthan reschedules Panchayati Raj election dates Rajasthan has rescheduled the first three phases of its Panchayati Raj elections due to the festive season, while authorities in Udaipur have issued strict printing regulations for election materials. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-reschedules-panchayati-raj-election-dates ### 2026-10-05: Rajasthan officials prepare for 2026 Panchayati Raj elections Authorities in Jaipur and Ajmer, Rajasthan, have begun organizing administrative cells and reviewing preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the 2026 Panchayati Raj general elections. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-officials-prepare-for-2026-panchayati-raj-elections ### 2026-10-03: Rajasthan announces 2026 Panchayati Raj election schedule The Rajasthan State Election Commission has announced a four-phase schedule for the 2026 Panchayati Raj elections, involving over 40 million voters and 155,138 representatives. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-state-election-commission-announces-panchayat-poll-schedule ### 2026-09-27: Rajasthan sets strict spending limits for Panchayat elections The Rajasthan State Election Commission has set strict spending limits and vehicle restrictions for Panchayat election candidates, with violators facing a six-year ban from contesting. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-sets-strict-spending-limits-for-panchayat-elections ### 2026-09-23: Rajasthan begins reservation lotteries for Panchayati Raj elections Rajasthan is conducting reservation lotteries for 1.55 lakh Panchayati Raj positions. The process determines seat allocations for SC, ST, OBC, and women across 14,403 Gram Panchayats ahead of the 2026 elections 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajasthan-begins-reservation-lottery-for-panchayati-raj-elections --- Cite as: Rajasthan Panchayati Raj election rollout and voting phases. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rajasthan-panchayati-raj-election-preparations