The State Election Commission has officially announced the schedule for the highly anticipated Rajasthan Panchayat Raj Elections 2026. Setting the political stage on fire across the state’s rural belts, the elections for Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti members, Sarpanch, and Ward Panch will be conducted in four distinct phases starting from October 23, 2026.
Executive Summary: Rajasthan Panchayat Election 2026
- Total Phases: 4 Phases
- Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti Voting: October 23, October 29, November 4, and November 14, 2026.
- Sarpanch & Ward Panch Voting: October 25, October 31, November 6, and November 16, 2026.
- Voting Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Counting of Votes (Sarpanch/Panch): Same day, immediately after voting ends.
- Counting of Votes (Zila Parishad/Panchayat Samiti): All phases together on November 20, 2026.
Voting Schedule: Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti
The elections for the upper tiers of the Panchayati Raj system—Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members—will be conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The official notification for the first phase will be issued on October 8, 2026.
| Phase | Voting Date | Notification Issue Date |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 23, 2026 | October 8, 2026 |
| Phase 2 | October 29, 2026 | October 13, 2026 |
| Phase 3 | November 4, 2026 | October 19, 2026 |
| Phase 4 | November 14, 2026 | October 31, 2026 |
Voting Schedule: Sarpanch and Ward Panch
Voting at the grassroots level for Sarpanch and Ward Panch will be conducted through traditional ballot boxes. To make the process clear for voters, the election commission has mandated pink ballot papers for Ward Panch and white ballot papers for Sarpanch candidates.
| Phase | Voting Date | Counting Date |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 25, 2026 | October 25 (Evening) |
| Phase 2 | October 31, 2026 | October 31 (Evening) |
| Phase 3 | November 6, 2026 | November 6 (Evening) |
| Phase 4 | November 16, 2026 | November 16 (Evening) |
Dates for Zila Pramukh and Pradhan Elections
Following the declaration of results for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti on November 20, the elected members will vote to elect the heads of these institutions:
- Pradhan Election: November 25, 2026
- Up-Pradhan Election: November 26, 2026
- Zila Pramukh Election: November 27, 2026
- Up-Zila Pramukh Election: November 28, 2026
Important Election Guidelines (EVMs & Ballot System)
The State Election Commission has introduced clear guidelines to ensure fair and transparent elections:
- NOTA Option: The “None of the Above” (NOTA) option will be available for voters in both the EVM machines and on the ballot papers.
- EVM Randomization: EVMs utilized for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections will undergo strict randomization and First Level Checking (FLC) 5 to 7 days before polling dates via the ‘eSuchi’ software.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When are the Rajasthan Sarpanch elections in 2026?
The Rajasthan Sarpanch elections for 2026 will be held in four phases on October 25, October 31, November 6, and November 16, 2026. The results will be declared on the same day as voting.
When will the Rajasthan Zila Parishad election results be declared?
The counting of votes and result declaration for all four phases of the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections will take place together on November 20, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
Are EVMs used in the Rajasthan Panchayat elections?
Yes, EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) are used exclusively for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti member elections. However, traditional ballot boxes are used for Sarpanch and Ward Panch elections.