Rajasthan Panchayat polls Phase 1: 8.5 mn voters to elect 3,314 sarpanchs across 16 districts
Synopsis
Rajasthan heads into one of its largest grassroots votes: 8.5 million voters across 16 districts will choose from thousands of candidates for 3,314 Sarpanch and 28,682 Ward Panch seats on Saturday — using ballot papers for the first time in place of EVMs, making the count slower but the stakes no less high.
Key Takeaways
Phase 1 of Rajasthan Panchayat elections covers 3,314 gram panchayats across 16 districts on Saturday.
About 8.5 million voters will poll between 7 am and 6 pm IST at 9,886 polling stations .
Each voter casts two ballots — one for Sarpanch and one for Ward Panch.
Ballot papers replace EVMs this phase, slowing the count; results expected late evening or night.
Barmer has the most candidates: 419 for Sarpanch and 3,029 for Ward Panch.
Deputy Sarpanch election follows on 25 October , decided solely by elected Ward Panchs.
Voting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch posts in the first phase of Rajasthan's Panchayat elections is set to take place on Saturday, 25 October 2026, spanning 3,314 gram panchayats across 16 districts. Approximately 8.5 million voters are expected to cast their ballots, with polling scheduled between 7 am and 6 pm IST.
Key Election Arrangements
A total of 9,886 polling stations have been set up to accommodate voters across the first phase. Each eligible voter will cast two ballots — one for the Sarpanch candidate and a separate one for the Ward Panch candidate. Notably, this phase marks a departure from previous practice: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been replaced by ballot papers, a shift that is expected to make the counting process more time-consuming.
Counting Process and Results Timeline
Vote counting will commence immediately after polling concludes at 6 pm. As per the counting sequence, votes for Ward Panch candidates will be tallied first, followed by those for Sarpanch candidates. Results are anticipated by late evening, though closely contested seats or disputes could push final declarations well into the night. A recount in disputed constituencies could delay outcomes further.
The Competitive Landscape
These elections are not being contested on party symbols, and no political party is issuing official tickets. Despite this, contests remain highly competitive, with local political dynamics and village-level rivalries often proving decisive. Barmer leads the first phase in terms of contestant numbers, with 419 candidates vying for Sarpanch posts and 3,029 candidates contesting Ward Panch seats. In Jodhpur district's Balesar Panchayat Samiti, candidates arrived with supporters on Friday to file their nominations.
Deputy Sarpanch Election and Administrative Action
The election for the post of Deputy Sarpanch is scheduled for 25 October 2026. This post will be chosen exclusively by the elected Ward Panchs, with general voters having no direct role in the process. On the administrative front, Bikaner District Election Officer Nishant Jain has issued notices to 28 employees for remaining absent from their assigned election duties, directing them to submit explanations within three days.
This is one of Rajasthan's largest grassroots democratic exercises in recent years, and the outcome across 28,682 Ward Panch seats will shape village governance in the state for the coming term. The second phase of polling is expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Point of View
It introduces counting delays, higher human-error risk, and a longer window for post-result disputes — all in a grassroots contest where margins are often razor-thin. The fact that 28 election workers in Bikaner had to be served notices for absenteeism, even before polling day, signals patchy administrative readiness. With village-level power and local resource allocation riding on these results, any counting controversy will have consequences that ripple well beyond individual gram panchayats.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Phase 1 of the Rajasthan Panchayat election 2026?
Phase 1 is scheduled for Saturday, 25 October 2026, with polling from 7 am to 6 pm IST across 3,314 gram panchayats in 16 districts of Rajasthan.
How many voters are expected to vote in Rajasthan Panchayat Phase 1?
Approximately 8.5 million voters are expected to participate in Phase 1, casting votes at 9,886 polling stations set up across the 16 participating districts.
Why are ballot papers being used instead of EVMs in this election?
The Rajasthan Panchayat elections Phase 1 will use ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), reversing the format used in previous editions. Election authorities have noted this is expected to make counting more time-consuming than in prior polls.
Who elects the Deputy Sarpanch in Rajasthan Panchayats?
The Deputy Sarpanch is not directly elected by general voters. Instead, the elected Ward Panchs choose the Deputy Sarpanch in a separate process scheduled for 25 October 2026.
Which district has the most candidates in Rajasthan Panchayat Phase 1?
Barmer has the highest number of contestants in Phase 1, with 419 candidates for Sarpanch posts and 3,029 for Ward Panch posts, making it the most competitive district in this round.
