Rajasthan civic polls: Nominations open for 10,245 wards across 309 urban bodies
Synopsis
Rajasthan's civic elections — the first under the 'One State, One Election' framework — kicked off nominations on 27 August across 10,245 wards in 309 urban bodies. With neither BJP nor Congress having declared candidates yet, independents may lead the initial filing rush, while hotel rooms in Jaipur are filling up fast with ticket aspirants from across the state.
Key Takeaways
Nominations for Rajasthan urban local body elections opened on 27 August , covering 10,245 wards across 309 urban local bodies .
These are the first civic polls in Rajasthan under the 'One State, One Election' framework.
The BJP and Congress are yet to finalise candidate lists; tickets expected to be announced on 28 or 29 August .
Effective filing days are 27, 29 and 31 August — Raksha Bandhan and Sunday account for the gaps.
Polling dates revised for Pali, Fatehpur (Sikar) and Bikaner due to festivals; Ajmer and Khairthal-Tijara districts will vote in two phases.
No home-voting facility for elderly or sick voters, unlike the Lok Sabha elections.
The nomination process for Rajasthan's urban local body elections commenced on Thursday, 27 August, covering 10,245 wards across 309 urban local bodies — marking the first civic polls in the state to be conducted under the 'One State, One Election' framework. The elections are set to transform local governance across Rajasthan's towns and cities.
Key Developments in the Nomination Process
The official nomination window runs from 27 August to 31 August, though candidates can file papers on only three effective days — 27, 29 and 31 August — since 28 August falls on Raksha Bandhan and 30 August is a Sunday. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has set up 15 Returning Officer (RO) offices to manage the filing process.
Neither the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nor the Indian National Congress has finalised its candidate lists as of Thursday. Both parties are expected to announce their tickets on 28 or 29 August. As a result, independent candidates are likely to be among the first to submit nomination papers.
Ticket Rush Grips Jaipur
Thousands of aspirants have reportedly descended on the BJP and Congress state headquarters in Jaipur, lobbying senior leaders and seeking councillor tickets. With more than 12 major parties expected to contest, the process of scrutinising and finalising nominations is likely to be prolonged.
The surge in political activity has spilled into the city's hospitality sector, with several hotels in Jaipur reportedly recording high occupancy as ticket aspirants and party workers arrive from districts across the state.
Revised Polling Schedule
The Rajasthan State Election Commission has revised polling dates for several urban bodies to accommodate festivals and local considerations. In Pali Municipal Corporation, voting will now be held on 11 September instead of 9 September, owing to Paryushan Mahaparv. In Fatehpur Municipal Council, Sikar, the date has shifted from 11 September to 9 September. In Bikaner Municipal Corporation, polling will take place on 9 September instead of 11 September.
Elections to 315 urban wards in Ajmer district will be held in two phases. The first phase covers Pisangan, Nasirabad, Kekri, Sarwar, Tantoti and Sawar. The second phase covers Ajmer Municipal Corporation, Kishangarh Municipal Council and Pushkar Municipal Council. In Khairthal-Tijara district, seven urban local bodies will also vote across two phases — the first covering Khairthal, Tijara and Bhiwadi, and the second covering Kishangarhbas, Mundawar, Kotkasim and Tapukara.
No Home-Voting Facility This Time
Unlike the Lok Sabha elections, during which the Election Commission of India offered a home-voting facility for elderly and differently-abled voters, the Rajasthan State Election Commission has not introduced a similar provision for these local body polls. Elderly and sick voters will be required to visit polling stations in person to cast their ballots.
With nominations now underway and party lists yet to be declared, the coming days will determine the shape of the contest across Rajasthan's urban centres.
Point of View
One Election' label on these polls is politically significant, but the on-ground reality is messier — staggered dates, festival-driven reschedules, and two-phase arrangements in multiple districts suggest the framework is still a work in progress. The absence of a home-voting facility, available during Lok Sabha polls, is a quiet regression on voter accessibility that deserves scrutiny. Meanwhile, the ticket rush in Jaipur underscores how high the stakes are at the ward level — local body elections in Rajasthan have historically been a bellwether for state-level sentiment, and both BJP and Congress know it.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rajasthan urban local body election nominations begin?
Nominations began on 27 August 2025 and the window runs until 31 August, with effective filing days on 27, 29 and 31 August. The gaps are due to Raksha Bandhan on 28 August and a Sunday on 30 August.
How many wards and urban bodies are covered in the Rajasthan civic polls?
The elections cover 10,245 wards across 309 urban local bodies in Rajasthan. These are the first civic polls in the state conducted under the 'One State, One Election' framework.
Have BJP and Congress announced their candidate lists for Rajasthan civic polls?
As of 27 August, neither the BJP nor the Congress had finalised their candidate lists. Both parties are expected to announce tickets on 28 or 29 August, meaning independent candidates are likely to file nominations first.
Why have polling dates been revised for some Rajasthan urban bodies?
The Rajasthan State Election Commission revised dates to accommodate festivals and local considerations. Pali Municipal Corporation will now vote on 11 September due to Paryushan Mahaparv, while Fatehpur (Sikar) and Bikaner dates were also adjusted.
Is there a home-voting facility for elderly voters in the Rajasthan civic polls?
No. Unlike the Lok Sabha elections, the Rajasthan State Election Commission has not introduced a home-voting facility for these local body polls. Elderly and sick voters will need to visit polling stations in person.
