Rajasthan Panchayat and Urban Body Elections: Three-Child Norm Removed, Illiterates Can Now Contest

Jaipur: Major reforms are on the horizon for Panchayati Raj and urban body elections in Rajasthan. The state government has announced plans to lift the restriction on candidates having more than two children and clarified that no educational qualification will be mandatory for contesting these local elections.

The announcement was made in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in response to a question from Congress MLA Pusaram Godara, marking the first time the government has formally stated its position in writing.

Key Highlights:

• The two-child rule for candidates is set to be removed.
• Illiterate candidates will now be eligible to contest.
• Amendments to relevant laws are currently under consideration.

No Minimum Educational Requirement

The government stated that there is currently no proposal to introduce a minimum educational qualification for Panchayat or urban body elections. Section 21 of the Rajasthan Municipality Act, 2009, which deals with candidate eligibility, does not impose any literacy criteria, and the government has no plans to change this.

Illiterate Candidates Can Contest

According to the written statement, there is no intention to bar illiterate candidates from contesting Panchayat or urban body elections. This ensures continuity of the existing framework, allowing broader participation in local governance.

Three-Child Norm Likely to Be Removed

The government also indicated that provisions barring candidates with more than two children from contesting elections may soon be repealed. A file seeking amendment to Section 24 of the Rajasthan Municipality Act, 2009, has already been sent to the Law Department and is currently under process. Once amended, candidates with more than two children will be eligible to contest for positions such as Sarpanch, Pradhan, and Mayor.

This move is being seen as a significant step towards inclusive participation in local governance, enabling more citizens—including those previously barred due to family size or literacy—to engage in electoral politics.