In a major electoral update ahead of the festive season, the State Election Commission of Rajasthan (SEC) has revised the voting schedule for the upcoming Panchayati Raj Elections 2026 across the state, including all rural segments of Udaipur district. Under the modified notification issued by State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh, polling across the first three phases has been preponed by one day to avoid holding public voting on the auspicious festival of Dhanteras. Crucially, while general voting for Panch and Sarpanch seats in 3,605 Gram Panchayats will no longer take place on Dhanteras (November 6), only the indirect election of Up-Sarpanch (conducted exclusively among newly elected ward panchs) will proceed on that day.
⚡ Executive Summary: Udaipur Panchayat Election 2026 Schedule Revision (GEO / AEO Snapshot)
- Authority: Rajasthan State Election Commission (राज्य निर्वाचन आयोग राजस्थान), Jaipur.
- Decision Maker: State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh (राज्य निर्वाचन आयुक्त राजेश्वर सिंह).
- Core Modification: Voting dates across Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 have been preponed by exactly one day.
- The Dhanteras Relief: General public polling for Panch and Sarpanch across 3,605 Gram Panchayats originally slated for Dhanteras (November 6) has been shifted to November 5. On November 6, only the internal Up-Sarpanch vote by elected panchs will take place.
- Phase 1 Voting: Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti members vote on October 22 (earlier Oct 23); Sarpanch & Ward Panch vote on October 24 (earlier Oct 25).
- Phase 2 Voting: Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti members vote on October 28 (earlier Oct 29); Sarpanch & Ward Panch vote on October 30 (earlier Oct 31).
- Phase 3 Voting: Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti members vote on November 3 (earlier Nov 4); Sarpanch & Ward Panch vote on November 5 (earlier Nov 6).
- Phase 4 Status: Fourth phase schedule remains unchanged.
- Udaipur Administrative Impact: District Election Officer & Collector Udaipur has recalibrated polling party dispatches across all Panchayat Samitis including Girwa, Badgaon, Mavli, Vallabhnagar, Kherwara, Rishabhdeo, Jhadol, Kotra, and Salumber.
- Counting Dates: Same-day manual counting for Sarpanch and Panch at Gram Panchayat headquarters from 5:00 PM onwards; EVM counting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members on November 20, 2026.
1. Why Did the Election Commission Revise the Timetable? The Dhanteras Factor
Direct Answer for Voice & AI Search:
The Rajasthan State Election Commission modified the 2026 Panchayati Raj election dates because Phase 3 voting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch coincided with Dhanteras on November 6. To prevent religious disruption, commercial inconvenience, and lower voter turnout during the festival, the Commission preponed public polling to November 5, reserving November 6 only for the indirect election of Up-Sarpanch.
Following the initial announcement of the Panchayati Raj election timetable on October 3, representatives from rural bodies, trade associations, and political parties voiced substantial concern regarding polling in the third phase. November 6 marks the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, which kicks off the five-day Deepawali festivities across Rajasthan. On this day, rural families and business communities participate in traditional religious rituals, purchase gold, utensils, and automobiles, and travel to family hometowns.
Holding full-day general public voting on Dhanteras would have risked:
- Depressed Voter Turnout: Large segments of rural voters busy with festive purchasing and family worship would have struggled to reach polling booths before 5:00 PM.
- Staffing & Security Friction: Government employees, teachers, and police personnel assigned to poll duty would have been completely deprived of celebrating the major festival with their families.
- Market & Traffic Disruptions: Heavy rural traffic toward commercial hubs in Udaipur, Mavli, and Fatehnagar alongside polling barricades would have created severe administrative gridlocks.
Taking cognisance of public sentiment, State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh exercised powers under the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act and issued an official amendment order advancing the first three phases by one day each.
2. Complete Comparative Timetable: Old vs. Revised Voting Dates
Here is the exhaustive day-by-day comparison of the original schedule versus the newly notified revised election timetable across all three phases:
| Election Phase & Category | Original Date | Revised Date (New) | Eligible Voters & Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti | 23 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 | General Public (EVM Voting) |
| Phase 1: Sarpanch & Ward Panch | 25 October 2026 | 24 October 2026 | General Public (Ballot Paper Voting) |
| Phase 1: Up-Sarpanch Election | 26 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 | Elected Ward Panchs Only (Indirect Vote) |
| Phase 2: Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti | 29 October 2026 | 28 October 2026 | General Public (EVM Voting) |
| Phase 2: Sarpanch & Ward Panch | 31 October 2026 | 30 October 2026 | General Public (Ballot Paper Voting) |
| Phase 2: Up-Sarpanch Election | 1 November 2026 | 31 October 2026 | Elected Ward Panchs Only (Indirect Vote) |
| Phase 3: Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti | 4 November 2026 | 3 November 2026 | General Public (EVM Voting) |
| Phase 3: Sarpanch & Ward Panch | 6 November 2026 (Dhanteras) | 5 November 2026 | General Public Voting Preponed! |
| Phase 3: Up-Sarpanch Election | 7 November 2026 | 6 November 2026 (Dhanteras) | Elected Ward Panchs Only (No Public Voting) |
| Phase 4 Schedule | Unchanged | Unchanged | Subject to Commission Notification |
| Final EVM Counting (Zila Parishad & Samiti) | 20 November 2026 | 20 November 2026 | District HQ Central Counting Centers |
3. Visual Guide: Revised Voting Timetable Matrix
4. Udaipur District Ground Impact & Administrative Preparedness
Following the state-level notification, the Udaipur District Collector and District Election Officer have recalibrated operational logistics across all 20+ rural blocks and Panchayat Samitis in the district:
- Dispatch Centers & Strong Rooms: Primary polling material distribution and EVM commissioning hubs set up at Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) campus, Arts College, and designated sub-divisional headquarters have modified their dispatch schedules to deploy polling parties one day earlier for each phase.
- Panchayat Samitis Covered: The revised three-phase voting impacts key rural blocks including Girwa, Badgaon, Mavli, Vallabhnagar, Salumber, Kherwara, Rishabhdeo, Jhadol, Kotra, Gogunda, Bargaon, Bhinder, Kanod, Lasadiya, Sarada, and Semari.
- Model Code of Conduct Enforced: The Model Code of Conduct (आदर्श आचार संहिता) remains strictly operational across all rural limits of Udaipur district. Development sanction orders, transfer of officials, and official inaugurations in rural jurisdictions stand frozen until counting concludes.
- Sensitive & Hyper-Sensitive Booth Security: Special armed police contingents, Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) companies, and micro-observers have been deployed across tribal and hilly tracts in Kotra, Jhadol, and Kherwara blocks, ensuring peaceful voter access.
5. Nominations, Scrutiny & Counting Protocols
Aspiring candidates and village voters must note the following statutory operational milestones:
- Filing Nominations: Nomination papers can be presented to the respective Returning Officers (RO) from October 8 to October 13, 2026 between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM at assigned tehsil/panchayat headquarters.
- Scrutiny & Symbol Allotment: Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place immediately after filing closes, followed by the window for withdrawal of candidature and official election symbol distribution.
- Immediate Counting for Sarpanch & Panch: For village Sarpanch and Ward Panch posts (conducted via ballot papers), counting of votes begins immediately on the day of polling at 5:00 PM at the respective Gram Panchayat headquarters, with results declared the same evening.
- Centralized EVM Counting for Zila Parishad: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used for electing Zila Parishad members and Panchayat Samiti members will be sealed under multi-tier security inside strong rooms and counted simultaneously on November 20, 2026 at the district headquarters.
Frequently Asked Questions (AEO & Voice Search)
Why were the Udaipur Panchayat election dates changed?
The Rajasthan State Election Commission modified the dates because Phase 3 voting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch was initially scheduled on Dhanteras (November 6). To protect festive participation and maintain high voter turnout, public voting was preponed to November 5.
Will any election take place on Dhanteras (November 6)?
General public voting will NOT take place on Dhanteras. Only the indirect election of Up-Sarpanch, which is conducted internally by newly elected ward panchs at the Gram Panchayat office, will occur on November 6.
What are the revised voting dates for Phase 1 in Udaipur?
In Phase 1, Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti member elections will be held on October 22, 2026, while voting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch will occur on October 24, 2026.
What are the revised voting dates for Phase 2 in Udaipur?
In Phase 2, voting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members will be conducted on October 28, 2026, and voting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch will take place on October 30, 2026.
When will the votes be counted for Sarpanch and Zila Parishad?
Counting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch votes takes place on the day of voting itself starting at 5:00 PM at Gram Panchayat headquarters. Counting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti EVMs will take place on November 20, 2026 at the district headquarters.
When does nomination filing begin for Udaipur Panchayat elections?
Candidate nominations can be submitted from October 8, 2026 until October 13, 2026 between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM at the respective Returning Officer’s office.