Rajasthan Urban Body Elections: Repolling at 10 Stations Today After EVM Glitches
Repolling is being held at 10 polling stations across Rajasthan on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, following technical glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes for the urban local body elections. The counting took place on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The State Election Commission ordered the repoll after complaints of EVM malfunctions were received during the counting process. The affected polling stations are located in five wards of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, three in the Kota Municipal Corporation, one in the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation, and one in the Suket Municipality. In Jaipur, repolling is being conducted in wards 9, 18, 25, and 34.
Polling began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m. Only voters registered at these specific polling stations are eligible to cast their votes in the repoll.
According to the State Election Commission, the technical glitches prevented the display of a number of votes. After examining reports from the respective district election officers and returning officers, the Commission found that the number of votes that could not be displayed due to the glitches was greater than the margin between the leading candidate and the nearest rival in the respective wards. This discrepancy prompted the Commission to order repolling to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the election results.
The counting of votes polled during the repoll will be held at the designated centres from 8 a.m. on September 17, 2026. The results of the repoll will be added to the overall counting for the respective wards.
Urban local body elections are conducted by the State Election Commission to elect representatives for municipal corporations, municipalities, and other local bodies. These elections are crucial for local governance, as elected representatives are responsible for civic amenities and development work in their areas. The Commission's decision to hold repolling at these stations underscores its commitment to conducting free and fair elections.
EVMs have been used in Indian elections for several years to streamline the voting process. While they are generally reliable, technical glitches can occur, and when they do, the Election Commission takes corrective measures, including repolling, to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
The right to vote is a fundamental right in a democracy. The repoll provides an opportunity for the affected voters to exercise this right and ensure that their voices are heard in the local governance process.
The State Election Commission is an independent constitutional body responsible for conducting elections to local bodies in the state. It has the authority to order repolls when necessary to ensure the purity of the electoral process. The Commission's decision in this case reflects its commitment to upholding democratic principles.
Repolling is a standard procedure in Indian elections. Whenever there are credible reports of EVM malfunction or other irregularities that could affect the result, the Election Commission orders a repoll at the affected polling stations. This ensures that the final result reflects the true will of the voters.
The urban local body elections in Rajasthan are being held in multiple phases. The counting for the first phase was held on September 14. The repolling on September 16 is for specific polling stations where glitches were reported. The results of the repoll will be declared along with the overall results after the counting on September 17.
Urban local bodies play a vital role in the day-to-day life of citizens. They are responsible for providing basic services such as water supply, sanitation, roads, and street lighting. Therefore, it is essential that the elections to these bodies are conducted in a free and fair manner. The State Election Commission's decision to order repolling at these 10 polling stations is a step in that direction.
The State Election Commission has the mandate to ensure that the repoll is conducted smoothly. It will oversee the process and ensure that all necessary protocols are followed.