Polling for the fourth and concluding round of the general elections for three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions 2026 commenced at 7:00 AM on 14 November across Rajasthan. Across 25 districts of the state, voters turned up at polling booths early in the morning to exercise their democratic franchise. Scheduled to conclude at 6:00 PM, this crucial polling phase marks the final lap of the multi-phase electoral exercise conducted throughout the state. The State Election Commission and local police administrations deployed comprehensive security arrangements at all designated polling premises to guarantee peaceful, transparent, and fair polling.
Voter Demographics and Polling Station Distribution
In this fourth round, an electorate of 1,05,94,285 registered citizens is eligible to cast their votes. Highlighting broad civic participation, the electorate comprises 54,88,275 male voters, 51,05,951 female voters, and 59 third-gender voters. To handle this vast voter turnout without delays or congestion, election authorities established 11,905 polling stations across the 25 participating districts. Each station is manned by designated polling staff, supported by state police personnel and auxiliary security units to maintain law and order, verify voter credentials, and ensure the secrecy of the ballot.
Technical Disruptions in Tonk and a Tragedy in Bundi
Despite elaborate preparations, technical hurdles disrupted voting at the Turkiya polling center in the Niwai panchayat samiti region of Tonk district. At booth numbers 151 and 152, electronic voting machines malfunctioned shortly after voting began, halting the queue of voters. Polling authorities rushed replacement units to the location. Following the deployment of replacements for the third time and extensive efforts by technical engineers, voting resumed at one of the booths, while rectification work continued on the second unit.
In Bundi district, an unfortunate incident was reported from the Khinya polling booth, where a school teacher deployed on election duty passed away while on duty. Administrative officials and medical personnel arrived on site promptly to carry out formal legal and administrative procedures while ensuring polling activities remained on track.
Electoral Contests in Karauli and Khairthal-Tijara
In Karauli district, enthusiastic participation was recorded across 5 panchayat samitis. A total of 4.48 lakh voters are participating to elect their representatives across 107 wards, focusing on rural civic issues, infrastructure, and governance.
Concurrently, Khairthal-Tijara district witnessed active voting across 4 panchayat samitis, where the electoral fate of 340 candidates is on the line. Candidates, political party workers, and local leaders engaged actively in ensuring voter turnout while strictly following the code of conduct.
Voter Mobilisation Across Churu's Six Panchayat Samitis
Voting has been progressing steadily across 6 panchayat samitis in Churu district, namely Sujangarh, Taranagar East, Taranagar West, Ratangarh, Churu, and Churu North. The electoral exercise spans 231 gram panchayats, where voters are deciding the outcomes for zila parishad and panchayat samiti seats.
Churu district accounts for 6,40,195 eligible voters who are casting their ballots across 696 designated polling stations. Broad queues were observed from early morning, with senior citizens, rural women, and youth voters turning out in substantial numbers.
Polling Highlights from Jaisalmer and Sawai Madhopur
In the desert district of Jaisalmer, voter turnout picked up steadily across 545 polling stations. More than 4.43 lakh rural electors are casting their ballots to determine the winners of 21 zila parishad wards and 150 panchayat samiti wards. Rural residents traveled from outlying settlements and villages to cast their votes.
In Sawai Madhopur district, polling proceeded smoothly across 4 panchayat samitis. Over 3.93 lakh voters are casting their votes across 456 polling stations. Both districts implemented heightened security vigil around sensitive booths to preempt any law and order complications.
Polling Activities in Pratapgarh's Four Samitis
Pratapgarh district saw disciplined voting across 4 panchayat samitis, which include Pratapgarh, Arnod, Peepalkhoont, and Suhagpura. Voters arrived at 288 polling booths across these tribal-dominated rural jurisdictions to exercise their democratic mandate.
Electors across these 4 samitis are deciding outcomes for 12 zila parishad wards and 64 panchayat samiti wards. District authorities stationed extra police personnel and flying squads to oversee the entire exercise and ensure the safety of ballot materials and personnel.
Developments in Bassi, Jalore, and Dholpur
In Jaipur Rural's Bassi region, peaceful voting prevailed alongside strong enthusiasm among first-time voters. Voters arrived at 145 polling booths across 25 wards to decide the electoral fate of 79 contesting candidates. Under the established election schedule, following today's polling for samiti and parishad members, voting for sarpanch and ward panch positions will be held on 16 November, while official counting of all votes will take place on 20 November.
Polling also ran smoothly in Jalore and other rural pockets of Tonk, where conversations among locals shifted toward political calculations and post-vote equations. In Rajsamand district, administrative teams confirmed that all logistical arrangements for the upcoming 20 November vote counting are completely finalized.
Meanwhile, Dholpur district concluded its rural balloting across 3 panchayat samitis, namely Basedi, Rajakhera, and Sarmathura. A total of 2,91,155 electors are registered to vote across 98 gram panchayats at 305 polling stations. This exercise decides the fate of candidates across 12 zila parishad wards, 59 panchayat samiti wards, and 920 panch posts, bringing the extensive fourth phase of the rural elections to its decisive close.
