The Rajasthan state government has moved the High Court seeking an extension of the deadline for conducting Panchayat and Municipal elections. In a formal application, the government argued that the current administrative and logistical landscape makes it impossible to hold elections by December. This move comes after the High Court had previously directed the state to complete the electoral process by April 15. The government has now presented a month-by-month breakdown of circumstances to justify the need for additional time.
Legal Application and Previous Mandates
The application, filed by Advocate General Rajendra Prasad, highlights the government's inability to comply with the April 15 deadline. The state informed the court that while every effort was made to adhere to the judicial timeline, unforeseen circumstances have hindered progress. The petition was filed in connection with public interest litigations (PILs) previously moved by former MLAs Sanyam Lodha and Girraj Devanda. The High Court is expected to hear the matter soon, which will determine the immediate future of local governance in the state.
The OBC Commission Report and Reservation Issues
A significant portion of the government's argument rests on the pending report of the OBC Commission. The state government noted that the commission, constituted on May 9, 2025, has repeatedly requested more time to finalize its findings, leading to multiple extensions of its tenure. The government maintains that conducting elections without implementing the revised OBC reservation would be contrary to the principles of social justice. Only after the submission of this report can the state proceed with identifying and reserving seats for SC, ST, OBC, and female candidates.
Logistical Hurdles: Manpower and Polling Stations
The government provided a detailed account of the massive resources required for the elections. According to the application, approximately 22891 polling stations are needed for urban local body elections, while rural areas require an estimated 45380 booths. The manpower requirement is equally daunting, with 114455 personnel needed for urban polls and 226900 for rural elections. The state emphasized that mobilizing such a large workforce, along with ensuring their training and deployment, requires a significant window of time that's currently unavailable.
Alignment with 'One State, One Election' Vision
The state government also pointed out that the terms of several Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads are set to expire between October and December. The petition suggests that it would be more efficient to hold elections after these terms conclude, rather than conducting them in phases, while this approach, the government argues, aligns with the broader vision of 'One State, One Election,' which aims to streamline electoral processes and reduce the recurring burden on the state exchequer and administrative machinery.
EVM Management and Technical Constraints
Technical challenges regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were also cited as a reason for the requested delay. The government explained that procuring, testing, and resetting thousands of EVMs is a complex task that can't be rushed, while Plus, the availability of government buildings, primarily schools, and the involvement of teaching staff in election duties must be balanced with the academic calendar. Citing these cumulative factors, the state has requested the High Court to reconsider the timeline and allow for a postponement of the local body polls.