Polling in Rajasthan's 129 civic bodies on Aug 17

Jaipur, Aug 16: Polling in Rajasthan's 129 civic bodies (municipal) would be held on Monday, Aug 17 from 7 am to 5 pm, state Election Commissioner Ramlubhaya said today.

A total of 10,582 candidates are in the fray in 129 civic bodies after forty-five councilors elected unopposed on completion of withdrawal process on August 8, the Commissioner told PTI.

Now elections in 3,306 wards in 129 civic bodies would be held tomorrow from 7 am to 5 pm at 4,300 booths, he said.

As many as 37.12 lakh voters, including 17.77 lakh women, are eligible to cast votes in 129 municipal bodies, including Ajmer Municipal Corporation.

Out of 4,300 booths, 1,300 booths fell in the category of sensitive and hyper-sensitive zones as there would be neck-and-neck contest between two political parties; BJP and Congress, Ramlubhaya said.

Over 43,000 cops including state police, homeguards, and Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) were being deployed to ensure free and fair polls, the Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) N R K Reddy told PTI.

About 30 companies of RAC were put on stand by to meet any exigency, Reddy said, adding there would be one mobile cops party at every booth in 129 civic bodies.

A magistrate led mobile party would also be patrolling in the area to maintain peaceful elections, he said. Ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress have fielded candidates on all seats.

The counting of votes is on August 20.

The election for chairperson is scheduled for August 21 and for deputy chairperson on August 22.

For the first time, persons who have at least passed Class X examination are eligible to contest polls as the state government had recently passed an ordinance to this effect, he said.

Contestants had submitted an undertaking stating that they have a toilet at their homes with three walls, a door, and roof, according to the ordinance.

They will also have submitted a proforma saying that none in the family goes out for open defecation, the official added.

PTI