Rajasthan to hold Panchayat poll candidate orientation on Oct 10
Synopsis
With roughly 1,55,000 seats up for grabs, Rajasthan is treating its Panchayati Raj elections as more than a local exercise. The State Election Commission is rolling out candidate orientation sessions on October 10 and a sweeping SVEEP voter-awareness drive — a signal that the Commission wants both candidates and voters informed before nomination day.
Key Takeaways
State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh has ordered candidate orientation programmes at the Panchayat Samiti level on 10 October 2026 .
Sessions will cover nomination procedure, eligibility criteria , required documents, and grounds for rejection of nominations.
Approximately 1,55,000 public representatives are to be elected in the upcoming Panchayati Raj general elections in Rajasthan.
A wide range of SVEEP voter awareness activities — including street plays, rallies, and Mehendi competitions — have been directed across all Panchayat Samiti areas.
At least one 'Green and Clean' polling booth is to be set up in every Panchayat Samiti area, with model polling stations featuring voter message boards.
Special emphasis has been placed on reaching youth , women , and first-time voters .
State Election Commissioner of Rajasthan Rajeshwar Singh has directed that candidate orientation programmes be held at the Panchayat Samiti level across the state on 10 October 2026, ahead of the upcoming general elections for Panchayati Raj institutions. The initiative aims to ensure that prospective candidates understand the nomination process fully before they file their papers.
What the Orientation Programmes Will Cover
According to Singh, the sessions are designed to equip candidates with end-to-end information on the electoral process. Topics will include the nomination procedure, eligibility criteria, required documents, precautions to observe while filing, and the specific grounds on which a nomination paper can be rejected. The objective, Singh stated, is to eliminate avoidable errors and ensure every candidate is able to file a complete and valid nomination.
Voter Awareness Push Across Rajasthan
The directive came during a video conference on voter awareness chaired by Singh at the State Election Commission auditorium in Jaipur on Thursday. The meeting reviewed SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) activities carried out during the Urban Local Body general elections and assessed plans for the Panchayati Raj polls. Singh also interacted with student 'Campus Ambassadors' from Voter Literacy Clubs to take stock of ongoing awareness efforts.
Officials were directed to organise a range of public outreach initiatives, including 'Ek Shaam Loktantra Ke Naam' (An Evening Dedicated to Democracy), 'Ek Ped Loktantra Ke Naam' (A Tree for Democracy), 'Ek Deep Loktantra Ke Naam' (A Lamp for Democracy), and 'Ek Khel Loktantra Ke Naam' (A Sport for Democracy). Additionally, model polling stations with voter message boards, street plays (nukkad nataks), election chaupals, and interactive sessions for young and women voters are to be set up.
Green Booths and Community Outreach
Singh directed that at least one 'Green and Clean' polling booth be established in every Panchayat Samiti area. He also called for Mehendi competitions, motorcycle and bicycle rallies, 'Satrangi Saptah' (Seven-Colored Week), marathons, and voter quizzes to maximise public engagement.
Scale of the Upcoming Elections
Underlining the importance of the exercise, Singh noted that the Gram Panchayat is a foundational unit of rural local governance and that approximately 1,55,000 public representatives are to be elected in these polls. Sarpanchs and other elected representatives are directly connected with village communities and play a critical role in local development. Singh particularly emphasised the need to enhance awareness among youth, women, and first-time voters.
The video conference was inaugurated with a welcome address by Rajesh Verma, Chief Electoral Officer of the State Election Commission. Chief Executive Officers, government college principals, ELC nodal officers, and Campus Ambassadors participated in the session. With orientation programmes now scheduled and voter outreach in full swing, the stage is being set for one of Rajasthan's largest grassroots democratic exercises.
Point of View
55,000 seats at stake, the October 10 orientation is a sensible administrative precaution, but its reach will depend entirely on how many prospective candidates — many of them in remote villages — actually attend. The SVEEP activity list, while extensive, risks becoming a checklist exercise unless district-level officials are held accountable for measurable participation outcomes. Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj elections have historically been a barometer for rural political mood, and how cleanly nominations are processed this cycle will say much about the Commission's institutional capacity.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the candidate orientation programmes scheduled in Rajasthan on October 10?
These are Panchayat Samiti-level sessions directed by State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh to prepare prospective candidates for the Panchayati Raj elections. They will cover the nomination procedure, eligibility criteria, required documents, filing precautions, and circumstances under which a nomination can be rejected.
Why is the State Election Commission holding these orientation sessions?
The sessions are aimed at reducing nomination errors and rejections by ensuring candidates have complete and accurate information before filing. Singh emphasised that both voters and candidates must be well-informed for a smooth electoral process.
How many representatives will be elected in Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj elections?
Approximately 1,55,000 public representatives are to be elected, including Sarpanchs and other local governance positions across Gram Panchayats in Rajasthan.
What voter awareness activities are being organised for the Panchayati Raj elections?
The State Election Commission has directed a wide range of SVEEP initiatives, including 'Ek Shaam Loktantra Ke Naam', nukkad nataks, election chaupals, Mehendi competitions, cycle and motorcycle rallies, marathons, 'Satrangi Saptah', and voter quizzes. At least one 'Green and Clean' booth is to be set up in every Panchayat Samiti area.
Who participated in the voter awareness video conference held by the State Election Commission?
The conference, chaired by State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh, was attended by Chief Executive Officers, government college principals, ELC nodal officers, and Campus Ambassadors from Voter Literacy Clubs. It was inaugurated by Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Verma.
