Heavy polling in second phase panchayat elections for Sarpanch, Ward Panch in Rajasthan

JAIPUR A heavy polling took place in the second phase of village panchayat elections for Sarpanch and Ward Panch in 22 districts of Rajasthan on Friday (October 30, 2026). While 45 Sarpanches were earlier elected unopposed, as many as 3,626 village panchayats went to polls and 1.06 crore voters exercised their franchise. The highest voter turnout was recorded at 84.37% in Jaipur district’s Rampura Dabri.

Voters arrived at polling booths in large numbers, enthusiastically, with elderly people and women seen standing in queues to exercise their right to vote. Rajasthan panchayat polls: 13% voter turnout recorded till 10 a.m. Rajasthan panchayat polls: 13% voter turnout recorded till 10 a.m. The polling began at 7 a.m. for 352 wards of 22 zila parishads and 2,197 wards of 124 panchayat samitis.

In some places, however, it was delayed as electronic voting machines (EVMs) malfunctioned Rajasthan panchayat polls: 13% voter turnout recorded till 10 a.m. storyline 1 People turned up to vote despite light rain and drizzle at places such as Kotputli-Behror, situated on the Jaipur-Delhi national highway, and the Malakhera area in Alwar district. Counting of votes started immediately after the polling ended, while the results were expected to be declared by late night.

Residents of Karanpur village in Dausa district’s Mahwa area boycotted polling in protest against the delimitation exercise, while the villagers at Dausa’s Pyara Ka Nagla and Jalore’s Bawatra and Dayalpur did not turn up for voting in protest against the change of their panchayats. Rajasthan gram panchayat polls: second phase held amid reports of minor clashes, protests Rival groups of villagers in Kotputli-Behror’s Majra Aheer and Jodhpur’s Sangariya Phata clashed over allegations of bogus voting.

Police intervened at both places and brought the situation under control. (EOM)