JAIPUR: Electronic voting machines (EVMs) malfunctioned at a number of polling stations in Rajasthan on Friday morning, disrupting voting and prompting protests in several towns as the state held the second and final phase of urban local body elections.
Early glitches at booths in Jaipur, Jhunjhunu and Pushkar
The State Election Commission opened polling at 7 am for 147 urban bodies, with voting scheduled to continue until 6 pm. Authorities said 87,60,884 electors were eligible to cast their franchise at 9,758 polling booths for 4,774 wards. Reports of EVM-related problems emerged from Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Pushkar and a few other locations during the initial hours of polling.
At places where machines failed to operate properly, polling was delayed and local residents staged protests demanding quick remedial action. Election officials were seen coordinating replacement machines and attempting to restore normal voting at affected stations.
Political leaders cast votes amid tensions
Senior leaders from both major parties voted during the day. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot cast his ballot with family members at a polling station in Jodhpur's Mahamandir area. After voting, he criticised the ruling party, saying some elements were attempting to "weaken the Constitution" and urged voters to respond at the polls.
"Some forces are trying to weaken the Constitution. There is a need to strengthen the Constitution further. People should teach it (BJP) a lesson," Mr. Gehlot said after casting his vote.
Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also voted during the day. Mr. Sharma appealed to citizens on social media to take part and described voting as central to the city's development and future prospects.
Cross-allegations over model code and conduct at polling stations
The BJP lodged a formal complaint with the district election officer in Jodhpur alleging a breach of the model code of conduct after Mr. Gehlot's visit to Ward 82. The party claimed a member of the polling team rose and touched Mr. Gehlot's feet on his arrival at the station, an act the BJP said reflected partisan behaviour and sought action against the polling official involved.
Election authorities did not immediately comment on the specific complaint. Officials said they were monitoring reports of both technical faults and alleged violations, and that standard procedures for investigation and replacement of malfunctioning EVMs would be followed.
Scale of the polls
Polling covered municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipalities across the state. The exercise involved thousands of candidates competing for ward-level posts that determine urban governance and local development priorities.
| Parameter | Figure |
|---|---|
| Eligible voters | 87,60,884 |
| Polling booths | 9,758 |
| Wards | 4,774 |
| Urban local bodies | 147 |
Officials' response and procedural safeguards
Election officials mobilised technical teams to replace defective machines and to ensure continuity of voting where disruptions occurred. The State Election Commission's arrangements include standby EVMs and staff trained to troubleshoot technical issues; however the early-morning faults led to short-term interruptions in some locations.
Voters and local representatives urged prompt action to prevent delays and to maintain trust in the electoral process. Observers noted that quick replacement of machines and transparent handling of complaints would be crucial to avoid escalation on polling day.
- Polling was scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm across the state.
- More than 18,000 candidates were in the fray for civic posts in this phase.
- Both ruling and opposition leaders emphasised voter turnout; political parties lodged complaints over conduct at specific stations.
As voting proceeded through the day, officials said they would compile reports of technical issues and any alleged violations for further action. The outcome of the polls will determine control of municipal bodies that shape urban services and local development across Rajasthan.
Meera Rathore, reporting from Rajasthan.
