Voter Turnout High in Rajasthans Panchayat Elections as 101-Year-Old Casts Ballot

Jaipur, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : Voting is underway in the second phase of Rajasthan’s Panchayat elections, which began on October 30. Polling is taking place across 22 districts, including Rajsamand, Sikar, Dungarpur, and Alwar, with reports of long queues at polling stations, especially among women.

In Rajsamand, voting commenced at 8 AM across 147 gram panchayats and 1,303 wards. The district has set up 489 polling centers, where security measures are robust. A significant crowd gathered at the polling station in Pipada, located at a government higher secondary school.

Returning officer Raghuveer Singh Chundawat reported that the voting process has been peaceful so far, with voters casting their ballots without issues. A police officer stationed at the Pipada center noted that additional police forces were deployed in anticipation of high voter turnout. “There has been a considerable crowd since morning. This center is located on a main road, ensuring high foot and vehicle traffic. Additionally, there is strong competition among candidates,” he added.

Among the voters was a first-time participant who expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It is crucial to vote for the development of our village. We face several issues like poor road conditions, lack of street lights, and water scarcity. When it rains, we struggle to get to school.”

She emphasized the need for improvements in education and infrastructure, urging voters to select candidates who will address these challenges.

In Sikar, voting for the sarpanch and ward panch positions is also in progress. A remarkable moment occurred when a 101-year-old woman arrived at the polling station in a wheelchair to exercise her voting rights. Her grandson, Kuldeep, shared, “My grandmother is over 101 years old. Her eyesight has weakened, so she needed support. However, she has never missed an election.”

Kuldeep highlighted the village’s urgent need for basic amenities like roads, water, and electricity. “Government schemes often fail to reach the grassroots level. My grandmother has always voted for candidates who can effectively bring these initiatives to our village and manage essential services.”

In Dungarpur, the second phase of the Panchayat elections is ongoing with voting for sarpanch and panch positions across 201 gram panchayats in seven panchayat samitis. Long queues have been reported at all polling centers.

Similarly, in Rajgarh, Alwar district, the second phase of the Panchayat elections is proceeding smoothly. The administration has deployed police personnel and election staff at all polling stations to ensure fair and peaceful voting.