Panchayat election 2026 programme announced: polling in 4 phases, sarpanch votes from 25 October to 16 November

In its press note of 3 October 2026 (no. 9836-44) the State Election Commission, Rajasthan issued the phase-wise programme for the general elections to 41 zila parishads, 457 panchayat samitis and 14,403 gram panchayats. The model code of conduct applies in those areas from the announcement until the process ends.

• Jaisalmer, Phalodi and Salumbar vote in one phase; Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Sikar, Banswara, Bikaner, Jalore and Udaipur in three; Jaipur in four; the other districts in two.
• Zila parishad member nominations run from 8 to 13 October (11 am–3 pm), in every district at once.
• Panch and sarpanch nominations are filed the day before polling, 8–11 am; polling is by ballot box from 7 am to 6 pm and counting is the same day at the gram panchayat HQ. Up-sarpanches are elected the next day.
• Zila parishad and samiti members are elected by EVM; all phases are counted on 20 November at the district HQ.
• Zila Pramukhs are elected on 25, Up-Pramukhs on 26, Pradhans on 27 and Up-Pradhans on 28 November. The Pramukh/Up-Pramukh of Baran, Sri Ganganagar, Karauli and Kota and the Pradhan/Up-Pradhan of their samitis complete their terms in December 2026 — the Commission will fix their dates separately.

Per the Commission, 4,03,07,308 voters (2,08,87,351 men, 1,94,19,789 women, 168 third gender) at 45,384 polling stations will elect 1,55,138 representatives — 41 Zila Pramukhs, 1,403 zila parishad members, 457 Pradhans, 8,245 samiti members, 14,403 sarpanches and 1,30,589 ward panches. Voters must carry their EPIC or the original of one of the Commission's 11 alternative photo documents. Commission control room: 0141-2227407.

Every gram panchayat page on NetaKaun now shows its samiti's polling date and phase. The Ajmer Rural, Mundwa and Malpura samitis are split between two phases — their panchayats' phase is in the District Election Officer's public notice.