Jaipur: Uncertainty persists over the schedule for Rajasthan’s panchayati raj and urban local body elections, with delays in the reservation process and monsoon-related concerns likely to push the polls beyond July.While the state govt, the Panchayati Raj Department, the Local Self-Govt Department, and the State Election Commission are continuing preparations, the election schedule is yet to be announced. Officials indicated that if pending processes are not completed on time, the polls may be held in Sept or Oct..Delimitation and ward restructuring exercises have been completed across gram panchayats, panchayat samitis, zila parishads and urban local bodies, including municipal corporations, councils and municipalities. The next stage hinges on finalisation of reservations for various categories.A senior official said the State Election Commission recently directed the Panchayati Raj Department and the Local Self-Govt Department to expedite the reservation process for seats and posts ahead of the elections.The directive follows a Rajasthan High Court order of May 22 directing that the process for conducting general elections to Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies be completed by July 31. The commission has asked both departments to complete the reservation exercise within the stipulated timeline.“Under Rules 5 and 6 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Election Rules, 1994, the state govt is responsible for determining reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and women,” a senior official said.Officials said delimitation in rural areas has largely been completed, while the reservation process is in its final stages and awaits notification.A similar exercise is pending for urban local bodies as well. “Ward restructuring in municipal bodies has been completed, though final reservation notifications are still pending,” an official said.Monsoon conditions have added to the uncertainty, with officials citing the possibility of heavy rainfall in several parts of the state during July. Concerns over disrupted rural connectivity, flood risks and logistical challenges in deploying polling personnel are also being factored into planning.The State Election Commission has said it is prepared to conduct the elections and is awaiting final reservation proposals from the state government before announcing the schedule. Preparations related to polling stations, electoral rolls, and election machinery are already underway.Officials said the govt is closely monitoring both the reservation process and monsoon conditions. “If reservations are not finalised by the end of July and heavy rainfall persists, the likelihood of polls being held after the monsoon will increase,” a senior official indicated.
