Jaipur, Oct 10 (UNI) Nearly 40 per cent voter turnout was recorded till noon in the fourth and last phase of Panchayat elections, covering 897 gram panchayats, in Rajasthan on Saturday.

According to Election Commission officials, nearly 40 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 1200 hrs.

The polling, which began at 0730 hrs, will continue till 1730 hrs.



Voters queued up to exercise their franchise, following the COVID-19 guidelines, including physical distancing and wearing face masks.

Polling was on a brisk pace in the morning, gradually improved by 1000 hrs with 20 per cent polling. Though some electronic voting machines faltered initially due to some technical problem, it was resolved and the polling was progressing smoothly.

A total of 30.56 lakh voters, including 15.97 lakh men and 14.59 lakh women are there in the 897 gram panchayats where voting is taking place.

For the post of sarpanch, as many as 4,629 candidates are in the fray while 11,373 are eyeing the post of panch.

Meanwhile, 26 sarpanch and 3,714 panch have already been elected unopposed.

In Jaipur's Chaksu Panchayat Samiti, till 1500 hrs, 39.03 per cent voting recorded, followed by 39.15 in Shahpura, 33.73 in Tunga and 33 per cent in Sambhar. Similarly, in other districts also during this period, about 40 per cent voters exercised their franchise.

No untoward incidents were reported and the polling going on peacefully, secretary of the State Election Commission, Shyam Rajpurohit, said.

The first phase voting took place on September 28, while the second phase was held on October 3. The third phase polling took place on October 6.

UNI JW SB 1555