The nomination process for panchayat elections in Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region has begun in Jhunjhunu and Sikar, while Churu is scheduled to go to polls in the third phase. Before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress release their official candidate lists, several aspirants have started campaigning on social media by publishing posters announcing their claims for party tickets.
Political activity has intensified across Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Churu as potential BJP and Congress candidates seek party nominations ahead of the official announcements. Several aspirants have released campaign posters on social media, presenting themselves as prospective candidates. However, their candidature will not be considered final until the respective parties publish their authorised lists.
The nomination process for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti member elections has begun in Jhunjhunu and Sikar. Churu is scheduled to undergo the Zila Parishad election process in the third phase. Discussions over ticket distribution have intensified within the political parties, with the activities of several BJP aspirants drawing particular attention.
The posts of district head in all three districts are reserved for women in the general category, increasing the significance of female aspirants in the ticket allocation process. The parties will need to balance local political equations, political families and the interests of supporters while finalising their candidates.
The Jhunjhunu Zila Parishad has a total of 41 wards. The reservation distribution includes 13 seats for women in the general category, 12 for the general category, four each for OBC general and OBC women, four for SC general, three for SC women and one for the ST category.
A candidate seeking to become district head must first secure a ticket to contest as a Zila Parishad member and win the election. Support within the elected board and prevailing political equations will also play an important role. The positions of aspirants remain unclear as the BJP and Congress have yet to release their official candidate lists.
On the first day of nominations in Jhunjhunu, two candidates filed four nomination papers for the Zila Parishad. Four candidates filed nominations in the Chirawa Panchayat Samiti, while one candidate each submitted nominations in the Surajgarh and Singhana Panchayat Samitis.
The second phase of the electoral process has begun for 102 seats across the Jhunjhunu, Chirawa, Surajgarh, Singhana, Pilani and Buhana Panchayat Samitis.
According to the available election schedule, October 16 is the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on October 17, while October 19 is the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures. Polling for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members in the second phase is scheduled for October 28. Subsequent phases of polling are scheduled for November 3 and November 14.
In Sikar, nominations have also begun for 49 seats across six Panchayat Samitis and the Zila Parishad under the second phase. Elections to member positions in the district will be conducted in three phases.
The final list of candidates will become clear after official ticket allocation, scrutiny of nomination papers and the withdrawal process. Until then, campaign posters circulating on social media indicate aspirants’ claims for candidature but do not establish official nominations.
