Rajasthan Panchayat Polls: Rural Turnout Trails ULB Elections as Local Boycotts Raise Concerns

The turnout has also fallen below the average participation recorded in the previous two Panchayat election cycles, while local boycotts and polling disruptions have highlighted concerns in some areas.

The first phase covered 293 Zila Parishad seats and 1,788 Panchayat Samiti seats across 16 districts. A total of 6,926 candidates contested 2,081 positions, with voter participation varying significantly across districts and local bodies.

BJP state president Madan Rathore expressed confidence in his party's prospects, saying the initial response from voters indicated an advantage for the BJP.

He also praised the state government's rural development initiatives, claiming that the Bhajanlal government had undertaken historic measures and surpassed the Congress government's achievements during its entire five-year tenure in just 34 months.

However, turnout figures alone do not establish which party enjoys greater voter support, and the electoral outcome will depend on the results.

Bikaner leads turnout, Pali records lowest participation

Bikaner registered the highest district-level turnout at 71.42 per cent, followed by Jhalawar at 68.35 per cent and Barmer at 67.37 per cent. Pali recorded the lowest turnout at 48.27 per cent.

At the Panchayat Samiti level, Mangta in Barmer reported a turnout of 79.55 per cent, while Rani Station in Pali recorded just 40.02 per cent.

The overall participation rate of 62.90 per cent was also below the average turnout of 63.15 per cent in 2020 and 64.40 per cent in 2021.

Boycotts and polling disruption reported

Voter boycotts over local grievances emerged as another concern during the first phase, with residents in some villages protesting decisions affecting their areas, including changes to Gram Panchayat boundaries.

In Shishvi ki Dhani in Rajsamand district, only three of the 400 eligible voters reportedly cast their ballots in protest against a Panchayat reorganisation.

Polling was also suspended for approximately an hour in Ayana following a malfunction in an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).

Gehlot urges voters to back Congress

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to voters to support Congress candidates while raising concerns about the preceding Urban Local Body elections.

Gehlot claimed that the vote margin between the Congress and the BJP in the ULB elections was less than one per cent, but alleged that the BJP had nevertheless “usurp[ed] the popular mandate”.

He urged voters to remain vigilant against any interference during the Panchayati Raj elections and called for a decisive mandate in favour of Congress candidates, arguing that it would strengthen democratic institutions.

The remarks underline the contrasting narratives being advanced by the two parties. While the BJP has highlighted its rural development agenda and expressed confidence in its prospects, the Congress has questioned aspects of the previous elections and appealed for strong voter support.

The next stage of the electoral process will involve nominations for Sarpanch and Ward Panch positions in Gram Panchayats. As the elections proceed, voter participation, local grievances and competing claims over rural development are likely to remain central to the political contest across Rajasthan.