Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota mayoral polls: Voting begins today in Rajasthan
Synopsis
The last major round of Rajasthan's civic elections is playing out today, with mayoral votes in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota. BJP is favoured in two, but Jodhpur is a genuine toss-up where independent councillors hold the balance — making it the most watched contest of the day.
Key Takeaways
Mayoral voting in Jaipur , Jodhpur , and Kota municipal corporations is underway on 25 September 2026 , from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm IST .
The BJP holds a majority in Jaipur and Kota ; Jodhpur is a closely contested race with no clear majority for either party.
Independent councillors in Jodhpur could be kingmakers in the mayoral election.
The withheld result of Sri Vijaynagar Municipal Council is set to be declared today at 11:00 am IST , subject to Rajasthan High Court proceedings on 28 September .
Elections in Khatushyamji Municipality have been postponed following a Rajasthan High Court stay order.
With today's polls, the electoral process will be completed in 308 of Rajasthan's 309 civic bodies ; BJP has already won 6 of 7 declared municipal corporation results.
Voting for the mayoral posts of Rajasthan's three major municipal corporations — Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota — is underway on Friday, 25 September 2026, marking the final significant phase of the state's civic election cycle. Polling is scheduled from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm IST, with vote counting to follow immediately.
What Is Being Decided Today
Beyond the three mayoral contests, the election for the Chairperson of Suket Municipality in Kota district is also being held on Friday. Meanwhile, the previously withheld result of Sri Vijaynagar Municipal Council in Sri Ganganagar district is set to be declared today, with counting scheduled at 11:00 am IST.
Elections for the Deputy Mayor posts in all three corporations — Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota — are scheduled for Saturday, 26 September 2026. With Friday's proceedings, the electoral process will be effectively completed in 308 of Rajasthan's 309 civic bodies, subject to any pending legal proceedings.
BJP Holds Majority in Two Corporations, Jodhpur Remains Contested
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds a majority in both Jaipur and Kota municipal corporations and is expected to secure the mayoral posts in those cities — provided there is no internal cross-voting among its councillors, which party managers are reportedly working to prevent.
The situation in Jodhpur is markedly different. Neither the BJP nor the Indian National Congress (INC) commands a clear majority there, making the mayoral race a genuinely open contest. Independent councillors are expected to play a decisive role in determining the outcome, and both parties are believed to be in active negotiations with them.
Sri Vijaynagar Count Held Back by Court Proceedings
The counting for Sri Vijaynagar had been withheld after the matter was taken to the Rajasthan High Court amid allegations concerning the alleged abduction of a councillor. Returning Officer and Sub-Divisional Officer Sakshi Puri confirmed that counting would proceed only after guidance was obtained from the State Election Commission. The result will remain subject to the outcome of the High Court petition, which is scheduled to be heard on 28 September 2026.
Khatushyamji Municipality Polls Postponed by Court Stay
The election process in Khatushyamji Municipality has been stalled following an order from the Rajasthan High Court. Returning Officer Kapil Upadhyay confirmed that the certified copy of the court's order had not yet been received. As a result, the Chairperson election — originally scheduled for 25 September — and the Vice-Chairperson election, originally set for 26 September, have both been postponed. A councillor seat election in the same municipality has also been deferred.
Broader Scorecard: BJP Dominates Rajasthan's Urban Bodies
Results for seven of Rajasthan's 10 municipal corporations have already been declared. The BJP has won six of those, while the Congress has secured one. Today's outcomes in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota will complete the corporation-level picture and offer a clear snapshot of the BJP's hold over Rajasthan's urban governance ahead of future state political calculations.
Point of View
And both the BJP and Congress have everything to lose in a city that swings between them. More broadly, the BJP's six-of-seven corporation wins confirm that Rajasthan's urban electorate has moved decisively toward the party — a structural advantage that will complicate Congress's state revival calculus. The court-related deferrals in Khatushyamji and the contested count in Sri Vijaynagar are also a reminder that civic polls in India increasingly play out in two arenas: the ballot box and the High Court.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cities are holding mayoral elections on 25 September 2026?
Mayoral elections are being held in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota — Rajasthan's three major municipal corporations — on 25 September 2026. Polling runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm IST, with vote counting to follow on the same day.
Why is the Jodhpur mayoral election considered closely contested?
Neither the BJP nor the Congress holds a clear majority among Jodhpur's municipal councillors, meaning independent councillors could determine the outcome. Both parties are reportedly in active negotiations to secure their support ahead of the count.
Why was the Sri Vijaynagar Municipal Council result withheld?
The result was withheld after the matter reached the Rajasthan High Court amid allegations concerning the alleged abduction of a councillor. Counting is now scheduled for 25 September, but the result will remain subject to the High Court's order, with the next hearing on 28 September 2026.
What happened to the Khatushyamji Municipality elections?
The Rajasthan High Court stayed the proposed repolling process related to the Chairperson election in Khatushyamji Municipality. As a result, the Chairperson election (25 September), the Vice-Chairperson election (26 September), and a councillor seat vote have all been postponed.
What is the BJP's overall standing in Rajasthan's municipal corporation elections?
The BJP has won six of the seven Rajasthan municipal corporation results declared so far, with Congress winning one. Friday's outcomes in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota will complete the full picture for all 10 corporations.
