Panchayati Raj, local body elections in Rajasthan set to get delayed

Elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies in Rajasthan are set to get delayed with the State government extending the tenure of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Political Representation Commission till September 30. Seats in the upcoming polls will be reserved based on the commission’s report.

The panel’s term has been extended for the third time, stalling the election process. The Rajasthan High Court had in November 2025 directed the State government to conduct the polls by April 15. The commission, constituted on May 9, 2025, was tasked with examining and facilitating reservation for OBCs.

Population data submitted from districts to the commission were found to be “incomplete and inaccurate” in several instances, according to sources.

The State government is believed to be working on the “triple test” mandated by the Supreme Court for providing OBC reservation in local body elections based on empirical data and surveys rather than political, social or economic backwardness. The triple test requires setting up a dedicated commission, specifying the local body-wise proportion of the quota based on the panel’s recommendations, and ensuring a 50% ceiling.

While the State government claimed to be taking action to strengthen the framework for political representation of OBC communities, the Opposition Congress on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of postponing the elections out of the fear of defeat.

“The BJP is not in a position to face the people in the present circumstances, when its misrule stands exposed and the public is fed up with the misgovernance during the last two-and-a-half years,” State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said. He added that the term of all local bodies and Panachayati Raj institutions, except 112 Panchayat Samitis, had already ended.

He also questioned the government’s intention to conduct the polls based on the electoral rolls of January 2025, despite the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise having led to a new voters list after the deletion of absent, shifted and dead electors.