Election calendar sets stage for municipal change in Jodhpur
The State Election Commission on Tuesday released the schedule for local body elections in Jodhpur district, fixing the polling dates for municipal councillors in a two-phase exercise and setting the mayoral election for 21 September. The timetable, published by the SEC, also schedules voting for municipal office-bearers and related formalities through late September.
Under the notification, councillor elections will be held in two phases: the first on 9 September and the second on 11 September, with counting of votes for these contests fixed for 14 September. The electoral process for the office of mayor and other civic body heads has a separate timetable, with nomination and scrutiny procedures to be completed in mid-September ahead of the single-day mayoral poll.
- Councillor polling dates: 9 and 11 September.
- Counting for councillors: 14 September.
- Mayor election (voting): 21 September; counting immediately after polling ends the same day.
- Deputy mayor / vice-president and other internal posts: meeting and elections on 22 September.
The SEC has laid down the key dates for candidates and returning officers. For councillor elections, the issue of notification is set for 27 August 2026 and the last date for nominations is 31 August. Nomination scrutiny will be held on 1 September and candidates may withdraw until 3 September. Election symbols will be allocated on 4 September.
| Event (Councillor Elections) | Date |
|---|---|
| Issue of notification | 27 August 2026 |
| Last date for nominations | 31 August 2026 |
| Scrutiny of nomination papers | 1 September 2026 |
| Withdrawal of nomination | 3 September 2026 |
| Allocation of election symbols | 4 September 2026 |
| Voting | 9 and 11 September 2026 |
| Counting of votes | 14 September 2026 |
For the election of mayors and civic body presidents, a separate schedule will govern nominations and scrutiny. The SEC has fixed 15 September as the date for the issue of notification and the nomination window closes on 16 September. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on 17 September and withdrawal is permitted until 18 September. Allocation of symbols is scheduled for 18 September, the day before the mayoral poll.
"Voting for the mayor and the immediate counting of votes are both scheduled for 21 September," the published schedule states.
The electoral calendar also designates 22 September for internal meetings where votes for deputy mayor, vice-chairman and municipal vice-president will be conducted. According to the schedule, the meeting on that day will begin at 10:00 AM, with nominations accepted until 11:00 AM, scrutiny until 11:30 AM and withdrawal permitted until 2:00 PM. Voting for these posts is set between 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM, with counting to follow immediately after voting ends.
The publication of the schedule begins the formal campaign and administrative preparations across wards and civic bodies in Jodhpur district. Returning officers and municipal officials will follow the SEC timelines for election arrangements, reservation lists, voter verifications and polling logistics. Political parties and independent aspirants now have clear deadlines to file nominations and prepare for the voting phases.
For candidates and voters seeking official updates or clarifications, the schedule notes that the State Election Commission and related portals remain the authoritative sources for notices, circulars and changes to election procedures.
As the blue city prepares for civic-level contests that determine local governance, the timetable provides a compact sequence of dates for nomination, withdrawal, polling and counting that will shape municipal leadership into late September.
