Rajasthan civic elections 2026 enter their second phase on September 11, with voters in Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Pali among those heading to polling stations. Here is what voters need to know about polling, candidates, voting arrangements, counting and key local issues.
Rajasthan civic elections 2026: When is voting?
The Rajasthan civic elections 2026 are being conducted in two phases across the state’s 309 urban local bodies. The first phase was held on September 9, while the second and final phase is scheduled for Friday, September 11.
The second phase covers 147 urban local bodies across 41 districts. It includes six municipal corporations: Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Pali. A total of 87,60,884 voters are eligible to vote in this phase, with 18,266 candidates contesting seats across 4,820 wards. Candidates in 45 wards have already been elected unopposed.
For voters in Jaipur, the election is particularly significant because the Jaipur Municipal Corporation is voting in the second phase. The other urban local bodies in Jaipur district voted during the first phase.
What time will polling take place?
Voting for the Rajasthan urban local body elections is scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm.
Voters should ideally reach their polling station well before the closing time, particularly in areas where large queues are expected. Election officials have also been instructed to make arrangements for a smooth and secure polling process.
The first phase on September 9 saw an average turnout of around 76 per cent according to a Times of India report, although other reports using different counting points and polling data reported different turnout figures. The first phase also witnessed incidents including clashes, allegations of bogus voting and EVM-related technical problems at some locations.
These incidents make it especially important for second-phase voters to verify their polling details in advance and allow enough time to complete the voting process.
Jaipur civic elections: What voters should know
The Jaipur Municipal Corporation election is one of the biggest contests in the second phase.
Jaipur has 150 municipal wards, and unlike some other areas of Rajasthan, no candidate from Jaipur’s wards was elected unopposed. This means voters in all contested wards need to participate in the polling process if they want to choose their councillor.
Campaigning in Jaipur has focused heavily on everyday civic concerns. Candidates have been using door-to-door campaigns, social media, community networks and ward-level meetings to reach voters.
Issues raised during the campaign include sanitation, drainage, water supply, streetlights, roads and other neighbourhood-level services. Some candidates have also maintained complaint registers to record residents’ concerns. Instagram and Facebook have become increasingly important campaign tools, particularly for younger candidates and first-time contestants.
For voters, the key question is not only which party a candidate represents but also what the candidate proposes to do about issues within the municipal corporation’s responsibilities.
Ajmer civic polls: A closely watched contest
Ajmer is among the six municipal corporations voting on September 11.
The contest has attracted attention because of the number of candidates and the presence of rebel candidates associated with the major political parties. A Times of India report said 360 candidates are contesting 80 municipal wards in Ajmer, with rebel candidates from both the BJP and Congress potentially affecting the calculations of the official party nominees.
For Ajmer voters, local issues remain central to the election. Civic elections determine representatives responsible for municipal governance, making matters such as sanitation, roads, waste management, drainage and local infrastructure particularly relevant.
Voters should therefore examine the candidates contesting from their own ward rather than relying only on the broader BJP versus Congress narrative.
Kota civic elections: Rebels add another dimension
Kota is also voting in the second phase, and the contest has been shaped by internal competition within the major parties.
Reports from the city indicate that rebel candidates have turned several contests into multi-cornered fights. Candidates who did not receive official party tickets have entered the race independently, potentially dividing established party vote bases.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also campaigned in Kota before the polling date, promoting the BJP’s “triple-engine government” argument. The pitch is based on having the same political party in power at the Centre, state and local levels to facilitate development and coordination.
For voters, however, the councillor election remains a ward-level contest. Checking the names and backgrounds of candidates on the ballot is more useful than assuming that a party’s statewide position will determine the result in every ward.
Jodhpur and Udaipur voters face local contests
Jodhpur and Udaipur are also part of the September 11 phase.
Jodhpur has received considerable political attention during the campaign, with senior leaders from both sides addressing voters. Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has campaigned in Jodhpur and expressed confidence about the Congress’s prospects, while Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has also conducted campaigning across major cities.
The wider Jodhpur district also saw polling in six municipalities during the first phase, including Pipar City, Bilara, Bhopalgarh, Mathania, Tinwari and Balesar. That should not be confused with the September 11 municipal corporation election in Jodhpur city.
Udaipur is another major urban centre included in the second phase. As with Jaipur, Kota and Jodhpur, voters should check the specific ward and candidate details applicable to their address because civic elections are organised at the ward level.
What should voters carry to the polling station?
Voters should carry an accepted identification document and follow the instructions issued by election officials at their polling station.
The most important step before leaving home is to confirm that your name appears on the electoral roll and identify your assigned polling station. Voters should not assume that their polling location is the same as in an earlier election because electoral rolls, ward boundaries and polling arrangements can change.
The civic election is administered by the Rajasthan State Election Commission rather than the Election Commission of India, so voters should rely on official Rajasthan election authorities for municipal-election information.
Employees who are registered voters in the constituencies going to polls have also been covered by directions concerning paid leave on polling day. The Rajasthan State Election Commission directed district election officers to ensure implementation of the relevant provisions for eligible voters.
What happens after September 11 polling?
Voting in the second phase will conclude on September 11, but the results will not be declared immediately.
The Rajasthan State Election Commission has fixed September 14 for counting of votes for all 309 urban local bodies. Counting will begin at 8 am across the state, according to the commission’s directions.
The simultaneous counting means voters across Rajasthan will get results from both phases on the same day.
The election process does not end with councillor results, however. A subsequent stage will involve elections for chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the urban local bodies. The State Election Commission has said supervision for this stage will take place later in September.
Why these civic elections matter beyond party politics
Municipal elections directly affect the everyday administration of cities.
Councillors are connected to issues that residents encounter regularly, including garbage collection, roads, drainage, streetlights, local sanitation, public spaces and other municipal services. That makes the ward-level candidate particularly important.
The elections are also being watched as a political test for Rajasthan’s ruling BJP. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has campaigned extensively across the state, while Congress leaders have criticised the scale of his involvement in local elections. At the same time, alliances and independent candidates have added complexity to several contests.
Young voters are another important factor. An India Today analysis noted that around four in 10 urban voters are aged 35 or below, while both BJP and Congress have sought to project younger candidates. Social media has also become a significant part of campaigning in cities such as Jaipur.
For voters, though, the immediate priority remains simple: verify your name, reach the correct polling station and make an informed choice based on the candidates contesting your ward.
Takeaways
- Rajasthan’s second phase of urban local body elections will be held on September 11, 2026, across 147 urban local bodies.
- Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Pali municipal corporations are among the major urban bodies voting in this phase.
- Polling is scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm, while counting for all 309 urban local bodies will begin at 8 am on September 14.
- Voters should verify their electoral-roll details, polling station and ward-level candidates before polling day.
FAQs
When will Rajasthan civic elections be held?
Rajasthan’s 2026 urban local body elections are being conducted in two phases. The first phase took place on September 9, while the second and final phase is scheduled for September 11, 2026.
Which major cities will vote on September 11?
The second phase includes the municipal corporations of Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Pali. Several other urban local bodies across Rajasthan will also vote on the same day.
When will Rajasthan civic election results be declared?
Counting of votes for all 309 urban local bodies is scheduled for September 14, 2026. The Rajasthan State Election Commission has directed that counting begin at 8 am.
What issues should voters consider before choosing a councillor?
Voters can compare candidates based on their ward-level priorities, including sanitation, waste management, roads, drainage, water supply, streetlights and other municipal services. Party affiliation can be considered, but civic elections also directly concern local service delivery.
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