Villagers in 25 districts cast votes for panchayat elections’ final phase in Rajasthan

Villagers in 25 districts of Rajasthan cast their votes for the fourth and final phase of polling on Saturday to elect the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members at a total of 2,524 seats. An estimated 72% turnout of voters at 11,905 polling stations was recorded by the end of the day.

The polling for first, second and third phases of Panchayati Raj elections was held on October 22, October 28 and November 3, respectively. Counting of votes for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections across all four phases will be held on November 20, followed by elections for Zila Pramukhs and Panchayat Samiti Pradhans.

There were delays in polling at several places due to glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs), while the voters at some villages in Baran and Jaisalmer districts boycotted the polling to press for their demands.

The villagers at Mundakya and Mundki in Baran boycotted the voting in protest against an irrigation project adversely affecting their lands. They have been demanding fair compensation for land acquisition for the project. The villagers at Bhojraj Ki Dhani in Jaisalmer did not cast their votes in protest against alleged anomalies in the reservation for Other Backward Classes.

Police took two persons into custody at a polling station in Sikar district’s Hapas village when they created a commotion while insisting on carrying their mobile phones inside the booth. The situation escalated when they began arguing with the polling officials and the policemen, leading to their detention on charges of disturbing peace.

The highest polling at 77% was reported at Baseri in Dholpur district. A total of 8,843 candidates are contesting 2,524 seats in the fourth phase, including 382 Zila Parishad wards and 2,142 Panchayat Samiti wards. There are 1,322 contestants for Zila Parishad seats and 7,521 for Panchayat Samiti wards.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Minister Rajendra Rathore’s son Parakram Singh and daughter-in-law, Kanika, are among the prominent candidates contesting for Zila Parishad seats from Churu district.

The final phase of polling covered Balotra, Baran, Banswara, Beawar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Churu, Deeg, Didwana-Kuchaman, Dholpur, Hanumangarh, Jalore, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Pratapgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Salumber, Sikar, Sriganganagar and Tonk districts.