The Rajasthan High Court has ordered panchayat, local polls by July 31

Image used for representation. | Photo credit: ANI

The Rajasthan High Court on Friday (May 22, 2026) directed the state government and the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct panchayat and urban local body elections in the state by July 31.

A Division Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma also directed the OBC Commission to submit its report by June 20.

During the hearing, the state government sought to hold the elections by December, citing the pending OBC commission report and other circumstances.

Earlier, the Division Bench reserved its verdict on May 11 after closing arguments.

The matter relates to the Supreme Court order dated 14 November 2025 in a series of petitions directing the state government to conduct panchayat and municipal elections by 15 April 2026.

However, the government later submitted a request to the Supreme Court to postpone the elections.

The government said during the proceedings that the elections could not be held immediately due to non-submission of the OBC Commission report and other prevailing circumstances.

Published – 22 May 2026 15:34 IST