The first phase of Rajasthan's local body elections has ended amid violence, disputes over alleged fake voting, and complaints of booth capturing in several constituencies across the state. The Election Commission of India reported receiving multiple complaints from polling agents and candidates after polling stations recorded irregularities throughout the day.
In districts including Jaipur, Ajmer, and Bhilwara, supporters of competing parties engaged in physical altercations near polling stations as voters queued to cast their ballots. Security forces were deployed to restore order, and in some areas, voting had to be suspended temporarily before being resumed later in the afternoon. Police registered several cases against individuals accused of intimidating voters and disrupting the electoral process.
Allegations of bogus voting emerged from multiple circles, with polling agents claiming that unauthorized individuals attempted to cast votes in the names of absent or deceased voters. In at least two constituencies, the Election Commission ordered a re-poll after verifying complaints that the integrity of the voting process had been compromised. Officials said forensic verification of voter turnout figures was underway in contested areas.
Political parties have urged the commission to take strict action against those responsible for orchestrating the violence and fraudulent voting. Opposition representatives accused the ruling party of mobilizing state machinery to influence the outcome, while government officials denied the allegations and called the accusations baseless.
Voter turnout in the first phase appeared lower than previous local body elections in the state, with election observers noting that fear of violence and logistical difficulties may have deterred some citizens from participating. The Election Commission has stated that it is monitoring the situation closely and will deploy additional security personnel for subsequent phases.
Rajasthan is set to hold further phases of its local body polls in the coming days, with results expected in the weeks following the conclusion of all polling. civic bodies across the state, including municipal corporations, panchayats, and district councils, are up for election.
