Rajasthan Panchayat Election 2026: All Phase Dates, Result Date and Rules
Over four phases from 22 October to 16 November 2026, Rajasthan's villages are choosing their ward panchs, sarpanchs, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad members. Here is the full schedule, what changed in the rules, and why these polls came months late.
Why it is in the news
The State Election Commission, Rajasthan announced the Panchayati Raj elections on 3 October 2026 in four phases across 14,403 gram panchayats, and the model code of conduct came into force the same day. The panch and sarpanch dates were later moved one day earlier because of Dhanteras. In phase 1 on 24 October 2026, sarpanchs and ward panchs were chosen in 3,255 gram panchayats of 104 Panchayat Samiti areas; Patrika reported a turnout of 83.05 per cent of about 83.2 lakh voters, and results were declared the same night. In the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad phase 1 poll on 22 October, PTI reported about 63 per cent turnout, with 6,926 candidates for 2,081 seats. Phase 2 of the PS/ZP poll was held on 28 October 2026, from 7 am to 6 pm in 22 districts: 352 Zila Parishad wards and 2,197 Panchayat Samiti wards of 124 Panchayat Samitis, with about 1.07 crore voters (1,06,56,127) and 11,799 polling booths, as reported from the State Election Commission. PTI-Bhasha reported 64.32 per cent turnout by 6 pm (provisional): Jaipur 68.69%, Banswara the highest district and Jalore (52.36%) and Pali (52.63%) the lowest; Batadu Panchayat Samiti in Barmer recorded 78.30%. The panch and sarpanch phase 2 poll is on 30 October (about 3,626 gram panchayats in 123 Panchayat Samitis, as reported). PS/ZP votes of all phases will be counted together on 20 November.
Some panchayats in Baran, Sri Ganganagar, Karauli and Kota districts whose five-year term has not ended will vote after 22 December 2026. The towns already voted in September 2026: see Nagar Nigam, Nagar Parishad and Nagar Palika elections.
ScheduleRajasthan Panchayat Election 2026 Phase-Wise Dates
| Phase | Panch and Sarpanch poll | Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad members |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 24 October 2026 (held, result declared) | 22 October 2026 (held, about 63% turnout) |
| Phase 2 | 30 October 2026 | 28 October 2026 |
| Phase 3 | 5 November 2026 | 3 November 2026 |
| Phase 4 | 16 November 2026 | 14 November 2026 |
| Counting | At the gram panchayat, right after polling; upsarpanch the next day | 20 November 2026 at district headquarters |
| Heads | Upsarpanch: day after each phase (25 Oct, 31 Oct, 6 Nov, 17 Nov) | Zila Pramukh 25 Nov, Up-Pramukh 26 Nov, Pradhan 27 Nov, Up-Pradhan 28 Nov (as reported) |
Your ballotHow Many Votes a Rajasthan Village Voter Casts in the Panchayat Election
| Vote | For whom | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ward Panch of your ward | Ballot paper, non-party, same day as sarpanch |
| 2 | Sarpanch of the gram panchayat | Ballot paper, non-party, counted at the panchayat that evening |
| 3 | Panchayat Samiti member | Separate polling day, party symbols, counted on 20 November |
| 4 | Zila Parishad member | Same day as Panchayat Samiti, party symbols, counted on 20 November |
Every village voter gets four votes in this election, on two different days. Then the winners choose the heads: panchs choose the upsarpanch, Panchayat Samiti members the Pradhan, and Zila Parishad members the Zila Pramukh. Add the MLA and MP, and a village voter casts six votes in five years. The whole ladder is explained in How Many Times Can You Vote in India.
🏠 Everyday analogy
Think of it as choosing your street's representative, the village head, the block team and the district team, one after another.
🇮🇳 Real Indian example
A voter in a Bhilwara village stamps two ballot papers on 30 October (panch and sarpanch) and, on her Panchayat Samiti's day, two more (PS and ZP member).
What changedRajasthan Sarpanch Election Rules 2026: What Is New
- Two-child norm gone: the 1995 rule barring people with more than two children was removed by 2026 amendments to the Panchayati Raj and Municipalities laws (Cabinet decision of February 2026).
- No education condition: the 2015 rule (Class 8 for sarpanch, Class 10 for PS/ZP) was removed in 2019 and has not come back.
- Spending limits (as reported): sarpanch ₹1 lakh, Panchayat Samiti member ₹1.5 lakh, Zila Parishad member ₹3 lakh.
- Deposit for sarpanch: ₹500 general, ₹250 for women, SC, ST and OBC candidates.
- Women: 50 per cent of seats and posts reserved, above the one-third minimum in Article 243D.
- Age: 21 years to contest (Article 243F); 18 to vote.
BackgroundWhy Rajasthan's Panchayat Elections Were Delayed: The High Court Orders
243E. Duration of Panchayats, etc.— (1) Every Panchayat, unless sooner dissolved under any law for the time being in force, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer.
(3) An election to constitute a Panchayat shall be completed— (a) before the expiry of its duration specified in clause (1); (b) before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.
243K. Elections to the Panchayats.— (1) The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats shall be vested in a State Election Commission consisting of a State Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor.
(2) Subject to the provisions of any law made by the Legislature of a State, the conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election Commissioner shall be such as the Governor may by rule determine: Provided that the State Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of a High Court and the conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
(3) The Governor of a State shall, when so requested by the State Election Commission, make available to the State Election Commission such staff as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions conferred on the State Election Commission by clause (1).
(4) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections to the Panchayats.
- 114 November 2025
The Rajasthan High Court ordered the State to hold panchayat and municipal polls by 15 April 2026, as five-year terms had ended.
- 2April to July 2026
The deadline passed; contempt petitions followed. The Court set new dates and, in July 2026, summoned the State Election Commissioner and the OBC Commission's member secretary.
- 3September 2026
Polls for 309 urban bodies were held on 9 and 11 September; counting on 14 September.
- 4October-November 2026
Panchayat polls in four phases, 22 October to 16 November.
Article 243E says a new panchayat must be elected before the old one's five years end. The Supreme Court has said the same many times (Kishansing Tomar, 2006; Suresh Mahajan, 2022). When polls are late, officials run the panchayat as administrators and villagers have no elected voice, which is why the High Court kept pressing the State. More on the referee: State Election Commission vs Election Commission of India.
UPSC CornerRajasthan Panchayat Election 2026 for UPSC and RAS
- Prelims: panchayat polls are run by the State Election Commission (Art. 243K), not the ECI; minimum age to contest is 21 (Art. 243F).
- Prelims: chairpersons at block and district level are elected by members (Art. 243C(5)(b)).
- RAS: Rajasthan was the first State to launch Panchayati Raj, at Nagaur on 2 October 1959.
- Mains (GS II): delays in local body elections and the role of courts; the two-child norm debate.
Rajasthan Panchayat Chunav 2026All Rajasthan Panchayat Election 2026 Guides in One Place
🏛️ The Constitution behind your Panchayat: learn it here
Practice MCQTest Yourself: Rajasthan Panchayat Election 2026: Dates and Rules
Consider the following statements about the Rajasthan Panchayat Election 2026: (1) It is conducted by the Election Commission of India. (2) Sarpanch votes are counted at the gram panchayat on polling day. (3) The two-child norm no longer applies to candidates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Doubts ClearedFrequently Asked Questions
When is the Rajasthan sarpanch election 2026?
In four phases: 24 October, 30 October, 5 November and 16 November 2026 (revised dates). Each panchayat votes in only one phase.
When is the Rajasthan Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad result?
Counting is on 20 November 2026 at district headquarters, as announced.
Who conducts the Rajasthan panchayat election?
The State Election Commission, Rajasthan, under Article 243K. The Election Commission of India has no role.
Is there a two-child rule for sarpanch in Rajasthan in 2026?
No. The rule in force since 1995 was removed through 2026 amendments, after a Cabinet decision in February 2026.
How many votes does a village voter cast in this election?
Four: ward panch and sarpanch on one day, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad members on another.
How do I check the Rajasthan sarpanch result 2026?
Sarpanch and ward panch votes are counted at the panchayat on polling night; the State Election Commission website (sec.rajasthan.gov.in) carries the lists. See our result guide.
When will the Pradhan and Zila Pramukh be elected?
After the 20 November count: Zila Pramukh on 25 November and Pradhan on 27 November 2026, as reported, by the elected members.
Sources and further readingSources We Checked
Facts checked against the reports below on 25 October 2026 and updated on 27, 28 and 29 October 2026. Revised dates and turnout figures are as reported in the news; the State Election Commission's website has the official phase list for each panchayat.
- Amar Ujala: 64.32% turnout by 6 pm in panchayat polls phase 2, Banswara leads (28 Oct 2026)
- Amar Ujala: Rajasthan panchayat elections phase 2 voting in 22 districts, over 1 crore voters (28 Oct 2026)
- ETV Bharat: Panchayat election phase 2 on 28 October in 22 districts (27 Oct 2026)
- ETV Bharat: Panchayat elections in Rajasthan to be held in four phases (3 Oct 2026)
- Business Standard: Rajasthan Panchayat polls 2026 to be held in 4 phases
- ETV Bharat (Hindi): first phase voting for sarpanch and ward panch (24 Oct 2026)
- Patrika: phase 1 panch-sarpanch turnout 83.05% (Oct 2026)
- Patrika: Rajasthan panchayat election dates and panch-sarpanch spending limit
- The Statesman: Rajasthan HC asks state govt to conduct Panchayat, Municipal polls (2026)
- The Hans India: Rajasthan Cabinet removes two-child norm for local body polls (Feb 2026)
- State Election Commission, Rajasthan (official website)
- The Statesman (PTI): 63 per cent polling in the first phase of Rajasthan panchayat elections (22 Oct 2026)