Rajsamand Panchayat Election 2026 Dates Changed: No Voting on Dhanteras; Check SEC Rajasthan Revised Voting Schedule for 8 Samitis

RAJSAMAND: In a major electoral development ahead of the upcoming festive season, the State Election Commission of Rajasthan (SEC) has officially revised the voting timetable for the Rajsamand Panchayati Raj Elections 2026. Under an amended statutory notification issued by State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh, polling across the first three phases has been preponed by exactly one day. The vital modification ensures that general public voting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch seats will no longer coincide with the auspicious festival of Dhanteras on November 6.

⚡ Key Election Update: General public voting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch across Rajsamand district originally slated for Dhanteras (November 6) has been preponed to November 5. On Dhanteras (November 6), only the indirect internal election of Up-Sarpanch (conducted exclusively by elected ward panchs) will proceed. Polling for Phase 1 and Phase 2 has also been advanced by one day across all 8 Panchayat Samitis and 214 Gram Panchayats.

Why Did the Election Commission Revise the Timetable?

Following the initial announcement of the Panchayati Raj election schedule on October 3, extensive representations were submitted by village bodies, market associations, and political parties across Rajsamand district. Phase 3 voting for direct village leadership (Sarpanch and Ward Panch) had landed on November 6, which marks the sacred festival of Dhanteras.

In culturally rich pilgrimage and commercial corridors like Nathdwara, Kankroli, Railmagra, and Amet, Dhanteras triggers intensive shopping, gold and metal purchases, and religious ceremonies. Conducting a full-day public election on Dhanteras would have caused severe inconveniences:

• Lower Voter Turnout: Rural families and traders preoccupied with festive shopping and household prayers would have faced hurdles reaching polling booths before 5:00 PM.
• Disruption for Polling Personnel: Thousands of teachers, administrative staff, and police personnel assigned to election duty would have been entirely prevented from celebrating Dhanteras with their families.
• Traffic & Market Congestion: Heavy rural vehicle movement towards market hubs around Rajnagar, Nathdwara, and Dariba alongside security checkposts would have led to administrative logjams.

To eliminate these hurdles, the State Election Commission advanced polling dates across Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 by one day each, while keeping the Phase 4 schedule intact.

Complete Comparative Timetable: Original vs. Revised Dates

Voters and prospective candidates across Rajsamand district should carefully note the updated polling calendar:

Administrative Impact Across 8 Panchayat Samitis in Rajsamand

Rajsamand District Collector and District Election Officer has recalibrated field operations and polling staff rosters across all 8 administrative blocks of the district:

1. Nathdwara Samiti: High pilgrim security protocols around Shreenathji Temple and major peri-urban Gram Panchayats including Saloda, Gunol, Machind, Negdiya, and Kothariya.
2. Kumbhalgarh Samiti: Special arrangements for deployment of polling personnel in rugged Aravalli forest pockets including Kelwara, Sameecha, Gadhbor (Charbhuja), and Antri.
3. Rajsamand (Kankroli) Samiti: Marble belt Panchayats including Peepli Acharan, Farara, Bhawa, Pasund, Kelwa, and Mohi.
4. Khamnore Samiti: Historical Banas river valley Panchayats including Khamnore, Molela, Sembal, and Bada Bhanuja.
5. Railmagra Samiti: Intensive industrial-mining Panchayats including Dariba, Sindesar Khurd, Kuraj, Gilund, and Banediya.
6. Amet Samiti: Aagariya, Jheelwara, Ghosundi, Dhelana, Lorwada, and Sardargarh.
7. Deogarh Samiti: Lasani, Madariya, Vijaypura, Sangawas, and Tal.
8. Bhim Samiti: Northern frontier Panchayats including Bhim, Barar, Kukra, Diwer, and Bargaon.

Nomination & Model Code of Conduct Reminders

• Nomination Submission: Eligible candidates can file nomination papers from October 8 to October 13, 2026 between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM before assigned Returning Officers (ROs).
• Model Code of Conduct: The Model Code of Conduct (आदर्श आचार संहिता) remains strictly enforceable across all rural sectors of Rajsamand district. Fresh government tenders, official inaugurations, and transfer of government personnel stand frozen.
• Same-Day Sarpanch Counting: Counting of paper ballots for village Sarpanch and Ward Panch posts commences at 5:00 PM on the day of voting at local polling stations, with immediate declaration of results.
• 24×7 District Helpline: Citizens can report electoral malpractice or violations of the Model Code via the Rajsamand Election Control Room at 02952-220015 or through the C-Vigil mobile app.