At a glance
- Panch & sarpanch: Form 4 + declaration Form 4-D. PS/ZP member: Form 4-A + 4-D. Pradhan/Pramukh: Form 4-B.
- No proposer for sarpanch/panch; for PS/ZP, 1 proposer for a party candidate and 5 for an independent.
- Affidavit on ₹50 stamp paper, toilet declaration, statistical form; caste certificate for a reserved seat.
- Deposit: sarpanch, PS and ZP member — ₹500 (women/SC/ST/OBC ₹250); none for ward panch.
- Sarpanch/panch polls are not party-based — only free symbols (40 each); PS and ZP polls are party-based.
Which nomination form for which post
| Post | Form | Along with |
|---|---|---|
| Ward panch, sarpanch | Form IV (Rule 25) | Declaration Form IV-D, toilet declaration, affidavit (Annexure I-B, sarpanch), statistical form |
| Panchayat samiti member, zila parishad member | Form IV-A (Rule 58) | Form IV-D, toilet declaration, affidavit (Annexure I-A), statistical form |
| Pradhan, up-pradhan, zila pramukh, up-pramukh | Form IV-B (Rules 59, 62) | One elected member as proposer; candidate's consent |
| Up-sarpanch | Model Form Kha | Any panch or sarpanch as proposer |
Source: SEC — candidate forms; Manual of Panchayati Raj Election Law 2026, Rules 25(1), 58(6), 59(4).
- Form 4 — panch/sarpanch (PDF, 12 pages) ↗sec.rajasthan.gov.inNomination paper, 4-D declaration, toilet declaration, affidavit and statistical form together.
- Form 4-A — PS/ZP member (PDF) ↗sec.rajasthan.gov.in
- Form 4-B — pradhan/pramukh (PDF) ↗sec.rajasthan.gov.in
- Up-sarpanch nomination — Model Form Kha (PDF) ↗sec.rajasthan.gov.in
- Appointment of polling agent — Form 9 (PDF) ↗sec.rajasthan.gov.in
Documents with the nomination — checklist
- The filled nomination paper (form as per the table above).
- Form IV-D declaration: pending cases punishable with 5+ years where charges are framed, past convictions, and movable/immovable assets of self, spouse and dependants.
- Affidavit on ₹50 non-judicial stamp paper, sworn before a judge/magistrate/oath commissioner/notary — assets, liabilities and government dues (electricity, water, govt housing etc.), occupation, criminal cases and education (disclosure only).
- Toilet declaration: a functional water-sealed toilet with three walls, a door and a roof at home, and no family member defecates in the open — verified by a witness.
- Statistical information form: photo, caste, occupation, education, earlier elections.
- For a reserved (SC/ST/OBC) seat: caste certificate from the Collector or an authorised officer. Men cannot file for a women-reserved seat.
- Deposit receipt (sarpanch, PS and ZP member).
- Party candidates for PS/ZP: the party's Form 'Ka' and 'Kha' — given by the party president or authorised person to the RO by 3 PM on the last nomination day.
Form IV-D still prints the old column on children, but the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act 2026 removed the more-than-two-children disqualification. Ask the Returning Officer if in doubt. False declarations or affidavits are to be prosecuted under BNS sections 227/229 (SEC letter 793).
Proposers and returning officer
| Post | Proposers | Returning officer |
|---|---|---|
| Ward panch, sarpanch | None — the candidate files in person | Appointed by the Collector for each panchayat circle |
| Panchayat samiti member | Recognised party: 1; independent: 5 (electors of the same area) | IAS/RAS officer (Tehsildar if short) |
| Zila parishad member | Recognised party: 1; independent: 5 | District Collector |
A voter may propose only one candidate. Source: Rules 23(2), 58(2), 58(5); SEC orders 353, 181.
Filing day, scrutiny and withdrawal
- At most 5 people including the candidate in the RO's office; no rally allowed.
- Vehicles within 100 m: ZP candidate 3, PS 2, sarpanch 1 — their cost counts as election expense.
- Scrutiny by the day after the last nomination day; withdrawal by the day after scrutiny — written notice, in duplicate, in person. A withdrawal cannot be cancelled.
- All dates are in the District Election Officer's (Panchayats) public notice.
Deposit and spending limit
| Post | Deposit (general) | Deposit (women/SC/ST/OBC) | Spending limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ward panch | None | None | — |
| Sarpanch | ₹500 | ₹250 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Panchayat samiti member | ₹500 | ₹250 | ₹1,50,000 |
| Zila parishad member | ₹500 | ₹250 | ₹3,00,000 |
The deposit is forfeited only if the candidate loses and gets under 1/6 of valid votes (Rules 56(3), 58(5); SEC order 753). The expense account is due in Form 'Ka' to the DEO within 15 days of the result (SEC order 5052).
Model code of conduct — 10 key rules
The code applies from the announcement of the programme until the process is complete (SEC letter 8703).
- No votes may be sought on religion, caste or community; places of worship cannot be used for campaigning.
- Criticism only of policies and work; no attacks on private life or unverified allegations.
- No bribery, intimidation or impersonation; no canvassing within 100 m of a polling station.
- No public meetings, rallies or loudspeakers in the 48 hours before polling ends.
- No liquor distribution on polling day and in the 48 hours before.
- No protests outside anyone's home; no posters or flags on private walls or land without the owner's written permission.
- Vehicles: ZP candidate 3, PS 2, sarpanch 1 (with RO permission); buses, trucks and animal-drawn vehicles banned from campaigning.
- Loudspeakers 6 AM to 10 PM with permission; not within 100 m of hospitals, schools or places of worship.
- Voter slips on plain white paper, without symbol or name; a candidate's booth beyond 100 m, one banner (max 2×5 ft).
- No government vehicles, staff or schemes for campaigning; no new sanctions or foundation stones after the announcement.
Polling, counting and up-sarpanch
- Sarpanch and ward panch: ballot box — white ballot for sarpanch, pink for panch. ZP and PS member: EVM (SEC orders 1711, 1323).
- Sarpanch/panch votes are counted at the gram panchayat HQ as soon as polling ends; oath and certificate right after the result.
- Up-sarpanch the next day: meeting of new panchas and sarpanch, proposals within 1 hour of the start, a sole candidate is elected unopposed, otherwise secret ballot.
- Pradhan and zila pramukh are elected by secret ballot of the elected PS and ZP members.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the sarpanch nomination form and where do I get it?
Form IV with declaration Form IV-D. It is on the SEC website (sec.rajasthan.gov.in → Candidate Forms) as a PDF and also available at the Returning Officer's office.
What documents are needed to contest a gram panchayat election?
Nomination paper (Form IV), declaration (Form IV-D), affidavit on ₹50 stamp paper, toilet declaration, statistical form, caste certificate for a reserved seat and (for sarpanch) the deposit receipt.
Do sarpanch candidates get a party symbol?
No. Sarpanch and panch polls are not party-based; symbols come from the Commission's 40 free symbols each. Party symbols apply only to PS and ZP member polls.
How many proposers does a sarpanch nomination need?
None — the candidate files in person. Proposers are needed only for PS/ZP (party 1, independent 5) and pradhan/pramukh.
When does the model code of conduct apply in panchayat polls?
From the State Election Commission's announcement of the programme until the election process is complete.
Can a nomination be withdrawn?
Yes, until the day after scrutiny, by written notice in duplicate delivered in person. A withdrawal cannot be cancelled.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official documents
- SEC — candidate forms (Form 4, 4A, 4B, up-sarpanch) (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- Manual of Panchayati Raj Election Law 2026 (Act & Rules) (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC order 753 (20.01.2026) — deposit (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC notification 5052 (23.12.2025) — spending, vehicles, loudspeakers (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC notification 4191 — free symbols for panch and sarpanch (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC notification 4196 — symbols for PS and ZP (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- Model code of conduct 2026 (SEC booklet) (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC letter 8918 (16.09.2026) — persons and vehicles at nomination (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC order 1711 (13.02.2026) — EVM and ballot box (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC letter 1323 (03.02.2026) — panch/sarpanch counting (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC letter 793 (20.01.2026) — action on false declarations (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
General information, not legal advice. Rules change — confirm with the State Election Commission / Returning Officer before filing a nomination or any official use. Disclaimer