Rajasthan Panchayat Elections: Voting to Be Held in 22 Districts on Wednesday

The contest is expected to see a close fight between the BJP and Congress, while the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) are also looking to expand their presence in rural areas.

Polling will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with election authorities completing preparations for the exercise. A total of 8,257 candidates are contesting 2,453 wards across Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis in this phase.

Of the total candidates, 984 are contesting 275 Zila Parishad wards, while 7,273 candidates are in the fray for 2,178 Panchayat Samiti wards.

The 22 districts going to the polls are Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Dausa, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Jalore, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Karauli, Kota, Kotputli-Behror, Nagaur, Pali, Rajsamand, Sikar, Sirohi and Udaipur.

Polling Arrangements in Jaipur

In Jaipur district, voting will take place across the Amer, Jalsu, Rampura Dabri, Shahpura and Amarsar Panchayat Samitis. The election covers 81 Panchayat Samiti wards and 112 Gram Panchayats.

Authorities have established 413 polling stations for the exercise. A total of 3,78,364 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, comprising 1,97,323 men, 1,81,040 women and one voter registered under the other category.

Elections will also be held for Jaipur Zila Parishad wards numbered 11 to 14 and 51 to 57.

Sarpanch and Panch Elections to Follow

The next stage of the electoral process will focus on the posts of Sarpanch and Panch. Nominations for these positions are scheduled for October 29, followed by polling on October 30 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Votes will be counted at the respective Gram Panchayat headquarters after polling concludes. Elections for the post of Up-Sarpanch are scheduled for October 31.

The second phase represents an important test for political parties seeking to consolidate their support at the grassroots level. Issues surrounding rural development, local governance and the delivery of public services are expected to remain central to the electoral contest.