The State Election Commission has increased the limit of amount to be spent by the candidates in the upcoming elections of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal Bodies. Now Zilla Parishad members, Panchayat Samiti members and candidates for the post of Sarpanch will be able to spend double the amount as compared to the previous elections.
Panchayat Elections 2026: The election expenditure limit of candidates for Panchayati Raj and Municipal Body elections in Rajasthan has been doubled. The State Election Commission has issued a new notification in this regard, under which the candidates of Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad member and municipal bodies will now be able to spend more amount than in the previous contests. The objective of this step is said to be to make the election process transparent, practical and timely.
Election expenditure limit doubled
State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh said that the Commission has been increasing the maximum expenditure limit for candidates in Panchayat and urban body elections from time to time. The same rule has been implemented in the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections 2026.
- Zilla Parishad Member: In the last elections 2019, maximum expenditure was allowed to be Rs 1.5 lakh. Now it has been increased to Rs 3 lakh.
- Panchayat Samiti Member: In the year 2019, the limit was Rs 75,000, now it has been increased to Rs 1.5 lakh.
- Sarpanch post: The limit of Rs 50,000 has now been increased to Rs 1 lakh.
In this way, candidates for all major Panchayat posts will now be able to spend double the amount.
Expenditure limit increased manifold in last 10 years
The election expenditure limit in Rajasthan has been continuously increasing in the last ten years.
- Zilla Parishad Member: Rs 80,000 in 2014 → Rs 1.5 lakh in 2019 → Rs 3 lakh in 2026.
- Panchayat Samiti Member: Rs 40,000 in 2014 → Rs 75,000 in 2019 → Rs 1.5 lakh in 2026.
- Sarpanch post: Rs 20,000 in 2014 → Rs 50,000 in 2019 → Rs 1 lakh in 2026.
Thus, the maximum expenditure limit for all major Panchayat elections has increased manifold in the last 10 years.
Increase in municipal elections also
Expenditure limit has also been increased in municipal elections in Rajasthan:
- Municipal Corporation (Councillor posts): Maximum Rs 80,000 in 2014 → Rs 2.5 lakh in 2019 → Rs 3.5 lakh in 2026.
- Municipal Council: Rs 60,000 in 2014 → Rs 1.5 lakh in 2019 → Rs 2 lakh now.
- Municipality: Rs 40,000 in 2014 → Rs 1 lakh in 2019 → Rs 1.5 lakh now.
Thus, a significant increase has been made in the election expenditure limit of candidates for municipal bodies also, which will enable the candidates to use more resources in the election campaign. The State Election Commission says that the purpose of increasing the election expenditure limit is not only to provide adequate resources to the candidates for campaigning, but also to make the election process transparent and controlled.
The notification also states that it will be mandatory for all candidates to file financial statements as per their expenditure limit, so as to prevent irregularities in the electoral process.
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