Rajasthan gram panchayat polls: second phase held amid reports of minor clashes, protests
Only elected ward panch members are eligible to vote in up-sarpanch elections, and ordinary voters do not participate in the process
On October 25, 2026, elections for up-sarpanch positions were held in 3,314 gram panchayats across 16 districts of Rajasthan, reports indicated minor confrontations and incidents of stone-throwing. A booth-level officer (BLO), Ashok Baria, passed away suddenly while performing his duties in Duka Gram Panchayat in Dungarpur district.
The cause of his death is still unknown. Disputes over election results led to protests in Garu Gram Panchayat under Alwar district's Kathumar tehsil, where supporters of defeated candidate Hardevi staged a sit-in demanding a recount of votes. Hardevi's nephew, Manoj Kumar, alleged that 76 votes were not counted in her favor, while Aarti Khandelwal was declared the winner.
Sub-divisional Officer Shyam Sundar assured the villagers that an inquiry into any irregularities would be conducted according to procedure. In Bikaner district, Kela Gram Panchayat saw tension after the late declaration of the sarpanch election results. Jameela's victory led to stone-throwing by some individuals, damaging three police and administrative vehicles.
Police used minimal force to restore order. In Gudha Gram Panchayat under Bhilwara district's Mandal police station, unidentified individuals allegedly threw stones at the car of Mr. Zuber, son of newly elected Sarpanch Akhtari, causing minor injury to his eye. No FIRs have been filed in any of these incidents.
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