Preparations for the upcoming Panchayat elections in Rajasthan are in full swing even before the official announcement of election dates. The State Election Commission has instructed district administrations to ensure a timely and smooth election process.
The Chief Electoral Officer, Rajesh Verma, has directed the preparation of photo-based Panchayat voter lists based on existing Assembly constituency voter lists. The final voter list for the Panchayat elections will be published on February 25, with no further amendments allowed after its release.
The Commission has specified that only voters listed in the final voter list will be eligible to vote in the Panchayat elections. Elections for Panch and Sarpanch positions will use ballot boxes, while Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members’ elections may utilize Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), procured from the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission.
Issues concerning Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and OBC reservation have caused delays in the Panchayat and urban local body elections in Rajasthan. However, following the High Court’s directives, the State Election Commission has ramped up its preparations. The High Court’s order to conduct these elections before April 15 suggests that the election schedule might be announced soon.
