Jaipur. Voting for the posts of Sarpanch and Ward Panch will be held on Saturday in the first phase of Rajasthan Panchayat elections. This voting will be conducted in 3,314 gram panchayats of 16 districts. Around 85 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise. Voting will run from 7 am to 6 pm.
A total of 9,886 polling stations have been set up for the first phase of voting. Counting of votes will start after the voting is over. The results are expected to be declared on the same day, although the process may last till late night. Every voter will cast two votes, one for the candidate for the post of Sarpanch and the other for the candidate for the post of Ward Panch.
In the previous elections, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used for these posts, but this time voting will be done through ballot papers. However, with the use of ballot paper, the counting process is likely to take more time.
First the votes of Ward Panch candidates will be counted, then the votes of Sarpanch candidates. The results may be declared late in the evening or night. In seats where the contest is very tough or where there is a dispute, recounting may occur, which may further delay the final results.
These elections are not being fought on the election symbol of any party and the political parties are also not giving any official ticket. Nevertheless, the contest is fierce, with local political equations and village-level rivalries often playing a decisive role.
Barmer district has the highest number of candidates in the first phase, out of which 419 candidates have voted for the post of Sarpanch and 3,029 candidates have voted for the post of Ward Panch. On Friday, candidates reached Balesar Panchayat Samiti of Jodhpur district along with their supporters to file nominations. Elections for the post of Deputy Sarpanch will be held on October 25. The elected Ward Panch will elect the Up-Sarpanch and the general voters will not take part in this process.