Rajasthan local body polls hit by EVM snags; voter turnout touches 70%

Discover how EVM glitches and voter issues impacted the second phase of Rajasthan's urban local body elections, featuring insights into voter turnout and reactions from prominent political leaders.

Electronic Voting Machine-related glitches were reported at several booths in some districts while many voters are believed to have faced problems due to a mismatch of names during the second and final phase of the urban local body elections underway in Rajasthan on Friday, officials said.

A tentative voter turnout of 70.01 percent was recorded till 6 pm in the urban local body elections amid EVM-related glitches, allegations of bogus voting and sporadic clashes at several places.

According to the tentative figures available at 6 pm, 61,35,153 of the 87,63,595 electors had cast their votes across the 147 urban local bodies.

Voter Turnout Across Key Municipal Corporations

Among the six municipal corporations that went to polls, Jodhpur recorded 71.10 percent polling, Pali 70.94 percent, Udaipur 67.26 percent, Ajmer 63.65 percent, Jaipur 62.88 percent and Kota 57.02 percent till 6 pm

Among individual urban local bodies, Dhorimanna municipality in Balotra district recorded 91.59 percent polling, while several smaller municipalities registered turnout above 85 percent, according to the tentative data.

The polling figures are tentative and the final turnout is expected to change after compilation of votes cast by electors who had entered polling stations before the close of voting.

Polling began at 7 am for the 147 urban local bodies, where more than 87 lakh voters were eligible to decide the fate of 18,266 candidates. Voting was scheduled to continue till 6 pm.

EVM-related glitches were reported at several polling booths in Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Kota, Pushkar and a few other places, disrupting voting for varying periods.

In Kota, polling was disrupted for some time after an EVM malfunctioned at booth number 2 of Ward 22. Several voters in blocks 3 and 3A of Ward 3 were also unable to vote due to a mismatch of names with the Booth Level Officer's (BLO) list.

Disputes were also reported from different parts of the state during polling..

Political Leaders Exercise Their Franchise

In Sikar municipal council's Ward 15, supporters of the Congress candidate allegedly clashed with the husband of the BJP candidate. Police reached the spot and used mild force to disperse the crowd. The Congress side alleged that the BJP candidate's husband and others assaulted them.

In Sadulshahar municipality in Sriganganagar district, former municipal chairman and Independent candidate Pradeep Khichad was allegedly involved in a clash at booth number 5. He accused supporters of BJP MLA Gurveer Singh Brar of assaulting him.

In Jaipur's Ward 62, people created a commotion at booth number 23 over allegations of bogus voting.

In Jhunjhunu district's Chirawa, supporters of two candidates clashed at a polling booth in Ward 26. The son of a BJP candidate suffered a head injury in the incident. Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

In Jaipur, a dispute also occurred at a polling station in Ward 114 after supporters of an Independent candidate objected to the presence of a Congress candidate inside the station. The police reached the spot following the dispute.

Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota-Bundi MP Om Birla cast his vote at a polling booth in Shakti Nagar in Kota and appealed to people across the state to turn out in large numbers.

"Greater public participation in a democracy makes it stronger and more empowered, making democratic institutions more accountable and responsible to the people," Birla said.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma cast his vote along with his family at the Navodaya Teacher Training College polling station in Jaipur's Jagatpura area.

Sharma said voting was not merely a right but also the responsibility of every citizen towards democracy and appealed to people to participate in large numbers.

Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot cast his vote along with his wife Sunita Gehlot, son Vaibhav Gehlot and daughter-in-law Himanshi Gehlot at a polling station in Jodhpur's Mahamandir area.

After casting his vote, Gehlot targeted the BJP government and said, "Some forces are trying to weaken the Constitution. There is a need to strengthen the Constitution further... people should teach it (BJP) a lesson."

The BJP lodged a complaint with the district election officer in Jodhpur alleging violation of the model code of conduct at a polling station in Ward 82 where Gehlot voted.

The party alleged that a polling personnel touched Gehlot's feet when he arrived at the polling station and sought action.

Polling Day Incidents and Allegations

Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot cast his vote along with his wife Sunita Gehlot, son Vaibhav Gehlot and daughter-in-law Himanshi Gehlot at a polling station in Jodhpur's Mahamandir area.

After casting his vote, Gehlot targeted the BJP government and said, "Some forces are trying to weaken the Constitution. There is a need to strengthen the Constitution further... people should teach it (BJP) a lesson."

The BJP lodged a complaint with the district election officer in Jodhpur alleging violation of the model code of conduct at a polling station in Ward 82 where Gehlot voted. The party alleged that a polling personnel touched Gehlot's feet when he arrived at the polling station and sought action.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot, after casting his vote in Jaipur, alleged that the civic elections were held only after the Rajasthan High Court pulled up the state government over the delay.

He said the elections would reflect people's assessment of the BJP government's performance and expressed confidence that the Congress would perform better than in the previous civic polls.

BJP state president Madan Rathore cast his vote in Sumerpur in Pali district.

Election Overview and Upcoming Schedule

The six municipal corporations that went to the polls are Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur and Pali.

Jaipur Municipal Corporation, with 150 wards, is the largest civic body in this phase. It has 24.33 lakh voters and 2,256 polling booths, with 723 candidates in the fray.

The first phase of polling was held in 162 urban local bodies on September 9 and recorded a voter turnout of 76.41 percent.

Elections to Rajasthan's 309 urban local bodies are being held in two phases. Counting of votes for councillor posts will be taken up on September 14.

Mayors and chairpersons will be elected on September 21, while deputy mayors, deputy chairpersons and municipal vice-presidents will be elected on September 22.