Rajasthan to hold panchayat elections in four phases from October 23
Rajasthan’s State Election Commission has announced a four-phase schedule for elections to the State’s three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions. Polling will begin on October 23 and continue through November 17, with more than four crore voters eligible. Results for Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis will be declared on November 20.
Elections to Rajasthan’s three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions will be held in four phases between October 23 and November 17, the State Election Commission announced in Jaipur on October 3. The commission said 4.03 crore voters would be eligible to participate. State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh said elections would be conducted for members of 41 Zila Parishads, 457 Panchayat Samitis and 14,403 village panchayats.
The bodies are being elected after delimitation and reorganisation in the State. Polling for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members is scheduled for October 23, October 29, November 4 and November 14. Elections for panch and sarpanch posts will take place on October 25, October 31, November 6 and November 16, corresponding to the four phases.
Mr. Singh said counting for panch and sarpanch elections would begin immediately after polling at the respective village panchayat headquarters. Deputy sarpanch elections will be held on October 26, November 1, November 7 and November 17.
The commission plans to establish 45,384 polling stations across Rajasthan. The model code of conduct came into force in rural areas after the schedule was announced. Women will have 50% reservation in the Panchayati Raj institutions.
The number of village electors has risen by 6.22% compared with the previous panchayat elections, held in 2020-21, according to the commission. Ballot papers will be used for sarpanch and panch elections, while electronic voting machines will be used for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti member elections. Results for Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis will be announced on November 20.
Elections for Zila Pramukh and Up-Zila Pramukh are scheduled for November 25 and 26, followed by elections for Panchayat Samiti Pradhans and Up-Pradhans on November 27 and 28. Mr. Singh said the simultaneous elections reflected the commission’s commitment to the “One State, One Election” concept.
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