Rajasthan Panchayat elections Phase 2: Voting in 22 districts today
Synopsis
Rajasthan's rural democracy is being put to a test across 22 districts on Wednesday, with over 8,257 candidates battling for 2,453 Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti wards. For BJP, Congress, RLP and BAP alike, Phase 2 is a crucial measure of grassroots strength — and a preview of who holds sway in rural Rajasthan ahead of future electoral cycles.
Key Takeaways
The second phase of Rajasthan Panchayati Raj elections is being held on Wednesday, 29 October 2026 across 22 districts .
A total of 8,257 candidates are contesting 2,453 wards — 275 Zila Parishad and 2,178 Panchayat Samiti wards.
Polling runs from 7 AM to 6 PM ; vote counting at respective Gram Panchayat headquarters after polls close.
Jaipur district has 413 polling stations serving 3,78,364 eligible voters .
BJP, Congress, RLP and BAP are all contesting, making it a multi-cornered rural contest.
Sarpanch and Panch nominations begin 29 October , with polling on 30 October and Up-Sarpanch elections on 31 October .
The second phase of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj elections is underway on Wednesday, 29 October 2026, with polling for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti member seats across 22 districts. A total of 8,257 candidates are contesting 2,453 wards, making it one of the most expansive phases of the rural local body polls in recent years.
Key Figures and Voter Turnout Scope
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. Polling is scheduled from 7 AM to 6 PM, with election authorities having completed preparations for the exercise.
In Jaipur district alone, polling spans five Panchayat Samitis — Amer, Jalsu, Rampura Dabri, Shahpura, and Amarsar — covering 81 Panchayat Samiti wards and 112 Gram Panchayats. A total of 413 polling stations have been set up, catering to 3,78,364 voters — comprising 1,97,323 men, 1,81,040 women, and one voter in the other category. Elections for Jaipur Zila Parishad wards 11 to 14 and 51 to 57 are also being held.
Districts Going to the Polls
The 22 districts voting in this phase 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.
Political Contest: BJP, Congress, RLP and BAP in the Fray
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (Congress) are preparing for a closely fought contest at the grassroots level. The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) are also fielding candidates, aiming to strengthen their foothold in rural Rajasthan. Issues of rural development, local governance, and public service delivery are expected to dominate voter sentiment.
This comes amid a broader political backdrop where the BJP, which swept to power in Rajasthan in the 2023 assembly elections, is looking to consolidate its rural support, while the Congress seeks to demonstrate it remains a formidable grassroots force. The RLP and BAP represent growing aspirations for regional and tribal representation respectively.
What Comes Next
Following Phase 2, the election process moves to Sarpanch and Panch posts, with nominations scheduled on 29 October and polling on 30 October from 7 AM to 6 PM. Vote counting will be conducted at respective Gram Panchayat headquarters after polling concludes. Elections for the post of Up-Sarpanch are scheduled for 31 October.
Point of View
But they are the most granular test of a party's organisational muscle — and Rajasthan's Phase 2 is no exception. The BJP, riding its 2023 assembly mandate, needs a strong rural showing to prove the vote was not merely anti-incumbency. The Congress, meanwhile, has historically outperformed at the panchayat level even in states it has lost at the assembly, making this a genuine indicator of its recovery. The presence of the RLP and BAP — both regionally rooted — adds a layer that Delhi-centric analysis tends to miss: the growing assertion of OBC and Adivasi communities in local governance. Results here will be watched not just for ward tallies, but for what they signal about the rural political mood ahead of the next assembly cycle.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts are voting in Phase 2 of Rajasthan Panchayat elections?
A total of 22 districts are polling in Phase 2: Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Dausa, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Jalore, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Karauli, Kota, Kotputli-Behror, Nagaur, Pali, Rajsamand, Sikar, Sirohi and Udaipur.
How many candidates are contesting in the Rajasthan Panchayat Phase 2 elections?
A total of 8,257 candidates are contesting 2,453 wards in Phase 2 — 984 candidates for 275 Zila Parishad wards and 7,273 candidates for 2,178 Panchayat Samiti wards.
What are the polling timings for Phase 2 of Rajasthan Panchayat elections?
Polling in Phase 2 is scheduled from 7 AM to 6 PM on Wednesday, 29 October 2026. Vote counting will be conducted at respective Gram Panchayat headquarters after polling concludes.
What happens after Phase 2 of Rajasthan Panchayat elections?
Following Phase 2, nominations for Sarpanch and Panch posts begin on 29 October, with polling for those positions on 30 October. Elections for the Up-Sarpanch post are scheduled for 31 October.
Which parties are contesting the Rajasthan Panchayat elections Phase 2?
The BJP and Congress are the primary contenders, but the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) are also actively fielding candidates to expand their presence in rural Rajasthan.
