To respect the Dhanteras celebrations and streamline the voting calendar, the Rajasthan State Election Commission has moved the timetable for the first three phases of the 2026 Panchayati Raj elections. This shift guarantees that no polling activity interferes with the auspicious festival.
Phase 1 – Revised Calendar
- Team departure: 21 October
- Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti voting: 22 October
- Panch & Sarpanch nominations: 23 October
- Panch & Sarpanch voting: 24 October
- Up‑Sarpanch election: 25 October
Phase 2 – Updated Schedule
- Team departure: 27 October
- Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti voting: 28 October
- Panch & Sarpanch nominations: 29 October
- Panch & Sarpanch voting: 30 October
- Up‑Sarpanch election: 31 October
Phase 3 – New Timeline
- Team departure: 2 November
- Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti voting: 3 November
- Panch & Sarpanch nominations: 4 November
- Panch & Sarpanch voting: 5 November
- Up‑Sarpanch election: 6 November
Phase 4 – No Adjustments
- Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti voting: 14 November
- Panch & Sarpanch voting: 16 November
- Result counting for Zila Parishad & Panchayat Samiti: 20 November
The commission stressed that the realignment is solely intended to keep the electoral process separate from Dhanteras festivities. Across Rajasthan, voters will decide outcomes for 41 Zila Parishads, 457 Panchayat Samitis and a massive 14,403 Gram Panchayats.
