Voting for the second phase of the Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan commenced on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, with polling stations opening their doors at 7 a.m. The electoral process covers a significant administrative expanse, involving 352 wards across 22 zila parishads and 2,197 wards within 124 panchayat samitis. While the exercise proceeded largely as scheduled, authorities reported that technical glitches involving electronic voting machines (EVMs) disrupted the start of voting in several locations.
According to election officials, the technical issues necessitated immediate intervention to ensure the continuity of the democratic process. In the Jhunjhunu district, specifically at booth number 71 in Muradpur village under the Singhana panchayat samiti, an EVM malfunctioned shortly after the first vote was recorded. Officials confirmed that voting at that location resumed following the replacement of the faulty machine. Similar reports of technical delays emerged from Ajmer, where voting commenced 30 minutes behind schedule at two booths due to equipment errors. Jodhpur also reported EVM-related disruptions that affected polling at two separate locations within the Tiwari panchayat samiti.
Despite these early morning challenges, local authorities have confirmed that the voting process remains active throughout the day. Polling is slated to continue until 6 p.m., with officials clarifying that all voters who arrive at their designated polling stations before the cutoff time will be permitted to exercise their franchise. Each voter is required to cast two separate votes: one for the candidate contesting for the zila parishad member position and another for the panchayat samiti member position.
The electoral atmosphere saw participation from notable figures as well as local residents. Urban Development and Housing Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra was among those who cast their ballots early in the morning. He was observed standing in a queue at booth number 54, located in Bharni village within the Sikar district. In the same district, at Ganeshwar village in the Neem Ka Thana panchayat samiti, 95-year-old Mali Devi arrived with her family members to participate in the local democratic exercise, highlighting the community turnout for the ongoing polls.
These elections are being conducted in four distinct phases, adhering to a revised schedule laid out by the state election administration. The first phase of the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections concluded on October 22, while the voting process for individual panch and sarpanch posts was held on October 24. The current phase represents the second step in the multi-stage schedule for the local bodies.
Following the completion of today's voting, the electoral process for the remaining wards is set to continue. The third and fourth phases of the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections have been scheduled for November 3 and November 14, respectively. Election officials remain on-site to oversee the transition between phases and to address any further technical or logistical challenges that may arise during the remaining polling hours or in the upcoming stages of the election cycle.
The scale of this local body election reflects the extensive administrative network of the state's rural governance system. As the day progresses, authorities continue to monitor the situation at various polling booths to ensure that the electoral mandate is carried out effectively and that all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate before the polls close this evening.
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