Ballot theft and later riots caused the sarpanch poll in Bhavi village, Bilada tehsil, Jodhpur district, to be cancelled twice
The village has about 8,000 voters and two candidates were contesting, but a new polling date has not yet been announced after the incident
Police action
Local police have increased security by deploying additional jawta and are reviewing CCTV footage around the police station
District officer Manish Dev said that suspects identified from the footage have been booked and their vehicle numbers recorded
Polling officers Jagdish Saran and assistant Shahiram were arrested in the ballot‑theft case and handed over to remand, while Sunil Chaudhary, Nemaram and Pusaram were also placed on three‑day remand for disturbing peace
Rural reaction
Locals said that a village of 36 families has never seen such tension and the incident is damaging the village’s image
Villager Mangilal said, "For the first time since independence we have seen such an atmosphere during elections."
Another villager Mahendra Kumar said that people of all sections live normally in the village and there has been no pressure so far
What’s next?
Police said adequate security will be maintained until polling and a new polling date will be announced soon