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Rajasthan Urban Polls See 70.68% Turnout as State Awaits Election Results
Haripriya 12 Sept 2026 3 min read 1.7K views
Rajasthan Urban Elections See Strong Voter Participation
The second and final phase of Rajasthan's urban local-body elections concluded on Friday with a voter turnout of 70.68%, according to reports. More than 61.93 lakh voters participated in the second phase, choosing representatives across 4,852 wards.
The elections covered 147 urban local bodies, including newly formed municipal bodies. Across both phases, the overall voter turnout reached around 72.95%, higher than the 70.31% recorded in the previous elections.
The strong participation has increased expectations ahead of the results, with both the ruling BJP and Congress watching the outcome closely.
BJP and Congress Face a Crucial Test
The urban elections have provided an important political test for the major Political Parties in Rajasthan. The BJP is seeking to strengthen its position in urban areas, while Congress is attempting to improve its performance and regain political ground.
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The results could provide an indication of voter sentiment at the local level and potentially influence the broader political narrative in the state.
With thousands of candidates contesting across hundreds of wards, independent candidates have also played an important role in several constituencies.
Polling Marred by Disputes and EVM Issues
Although voter participation remained high, polling was not without controversy. Reports of minor clashes, allegations of bogus voting and Electronic Voting Machine-related problems emerged from several districts.
Issues were reported in places including Jaipur, Pushkar, Barmer, Bikaner and Jhunjhunu. These incidents have prompted political reactions and demands for scrutiny from opposition leaders.
Congress has also raised concerns over incidents involving party workers and called for investigations into two deaths that it linked to the election environment. The allegations are expected to remain part of the political debate while the state awaits the final results.
High-Profile Leaders Cast Their Votes
Several prominent Rajasthan leaders participated in the polling process. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot were among the high-profile leaders who cast their votes.
The participation of senior leaders highlighted the importance attached to the local-body elections and their potential political impact.
The campaign and voting process also generated political controversy after a video involving Ashok Gehlot at a polling booth attracted attention. The BJP raised a complaint, while the election authorities subsequently issued a clarification.
Results Could Shape Rajasthan Politics
The upcoming results are expected to attract considerable attention because local elections can provide valuable signals about grassroots political support.
For the BJP government, strong performance in urban areas would strengthen its political position and provide momentum. For Congress, gains in municipalities could offer an opportunity to demonstrate that the opposition remains competitive across the state.
The high turnout suggests strong voter engagement, but the final political impact will depend on how the votes translate into seats. The outcome could influence local governance as well as the wider Politics (opens in a new tab) of Rajasthan.
The results will therefore be closely watched by political parties, candidates and voters across the state.
“Rajasthan's urban local-body elections have concluded with a strong voter turnout of 70.68% in the second phase. With polling now over, attention has shifted to the Elections Results, while allegations of clashes, EVM glitches and bogus voting have added tension to the political contest.”
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