Polling for the fourth and final phase of elections for Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members in 25 districts of Rajasthan concluded on Saturday. During this, approximately 72 percent of voters exercised their franchise across 11,905 polling booths in the state.

A total of 8,843 candidates are in the fray for 2,524 seats in the fourth phase, including 382 Zilla Parishad wards and 2,142 Panchayat Samiti wards. 1,322 candidates for Zilla Parishad seats and 7,521 candidates for Panchayat Samiti wards are trying their luck. Baseri in Dholpur district recorded the highest voter turnout at 77 percent. Earlier, polling for the first, second and third phases was held on October 22, October 28 and November 3 respectively.

Boycotts and sporadic incidents during polling

Delays in voting were reported due to technical glitches in electronic voting machines at various places. Additionally, villagers in some villages of Baran and Jaisalmer districts boycotted voting over their demands. People of Mundkya and Mundki villages in Baran did not participate in voting, demanding appropriate compensation for land acquisition. Villagers of Bhojraj ki Dhani in Jaisalmer did not cast votes in protest against alleged anomalies in reservation for Other Backward Classes.

Meanwhile, police detained two people at a polling booth in Hapaas village of Sikar district for insisting on taking mobile phones inside and creating a ruckus. According to police, these people had argued with polling officials and police personnel, after which they were held for breach of peace.

Relatives of heavyweights in the fray and further process

Prominent candidates from Churu district for Zilla Parishad seats include Parakram Singh, son of Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former minister Rajendra Rathore, and daughter-in-law Kanika. Districts included in this final phase of polling were Balotra, Baran, Banswara, Beawar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Churu, Deeg, Didwana-Kuchaman, Dholpur, Hanumangarh, Jalore, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Pratapgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Salumbar, Sikar, Sri Ganganagar and Tonk.

Counting of votes for Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections for all four phases will take place on November 20. Following this, elections for Zilla Pramukhs and Panchayat Samiti Pradhans will be held.