Fourth and final phase of Rajasthan panchayat elections concludes

Jaipur, Nov 14 (PTI) The fourth and final phase of Rajasthan panchayat elections for zila parishad and panchayat samiti members concluded on Saturday, even as reports of glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) emerged in some areas, officials said.

     Polling across 25 districts began at 7 am, with voter turnout at 70.95 per cent recorded till 6 pm. It had been 39.15 per cent till 1 pm, according to the State Election Commission.

     Chhoti Sadwa panchayat samiti in Banswara recorded the highest turnout at 89.03 per cent, while Masuda in Beawar registered the lowest at 54.69 per cent.

     The final phase covered 2,524 seats, with 8,843 candidates in the fray, including 1,322 contesting 382 zila parishad wards and 7,521 contesting 2,142 panchayat samiti wards, according to the poll panel.

     Sri Ganganagar had the highest number of zila parishad wards going to polls in this phase.

     Reports of delays due to electronic voting machine (EVM) glitches emerged from several places, while voters in some areas announced boycotts over local demands.

     The final phase covered Balotra, Baran, Beawar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Deeg, Dholpur, Hanumangarh, Jalore, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Pratapgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Salumbar, Sikar and Tonk, among other districts.

     Polling in the first three phases was held on October 22, October 28 and November 3.

     Counting of votes for all four phases will take place on November 20, followed by elections for zila parishad chiefs and panchayat samiti heads.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)