Voting for the posts of Panch and Sarpanch began on Thursday in 145 gram panchayats across Khandar, Malarna Dungar, Bamanwas and Bowli panchayat samitis of Sawai Madhopur district. In this phase, elections are being held for a total of 145 Sarpanch and 1,379 ward Panch posts.
According to Additional District Election Officer Sanjay Sharma, out of a total of 4,35,681 voters across the four panchayat samitis, 2,51,569 people exercised their franchise by 3 pm, bringing the average voter turnout to 57.74 percent. A turnout of 60.56% was recorded in Khandar, 56.09% in Malarna Dungar, 58.40% in Bamanwas and 54.91% in Bowli.
Enthusiasm seen among elderly and first-time voters
Great enthusiasm was witnessed among elderly people, women and first-time voters at the polling booths. Voters aged above 90 years cast their votes in Gugdood and Kosra. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Meena Bairwa and 19-year-old Jahnavi Jain exercised their franchise for the first time in Khirni. Election observer Brijesh Chandoliya and Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Mohit Kasania inspected various polling booths and took stock of the arrangements.