77 candidates, including 44 BJP and 16 Congress, win Councilor seats unopposed in Rajasthan

Jaipur: A total of 77 candidates have been elected unopposed to councillor seats in Rajasthan’s urban local body elections following the completion of the nomination withdrawal process.

With no rival candidates remaining in the fray, the respective Returning Officers have issued certificates of election to all 77 winners.

According to the latest report released by the Election Commission, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded the highest number of unopposed victories, with 44 of its candidates securing councillor seats without a contest.

The BJP’s 44 unopposed victories are spread across several districts. Chittorgarh recorded the highest number with six candidates, followed by Alwar and Jodhpur with four candidates each. Bikaner, Deeg and Jalore recorded three unopposed BJP victories each. Sikar, Khairthal-Tijara, Jhunjhunu and Dungarpur reported two BJP candidates each winning unopposed. One BJP candidate each was elected unopposed from Balotra, Banswara, Beawar, Bharatpur, Churu, Dholpur, Sirohi, Tonk, Rajsamand, Pali, Nagaur, Jhalawar and Jaipur.

The Congress secured the second-highest number of unopposed victories, with 16 candidates winning their councillor seats without facing an opponent. Sikar accounted for three Congress victories, while Jaipur recorded two. One Congress candidate each was elected unopposed from Sawai Madhopur, Rajsamand, Nagaur, Kota, Jhunjhunu, Jhalawar, Jaisalmer, Ganganagar, Dholpur, Dausa and Bundi.

Apart from the two major political parties, 17 independent candidates also secured councillor seats unopposed. Their victories mean they will enter the respective urban local bodies without having to face a polling contest.

The results came after the completion of the nomination withdrawal process, which finalised the list of candidates who will contest the upcoming urban local body elections.

Candidates facing no opposition were declared elected by the Returning Officers in accordance with the election process. The unopposed victories have given the BJP a clear lead in the number of councillor seats secured without a contest, followed by Congress and independent candidates.

The remaining seats will be decided through the electoral process among candidates who continue to remain in the fray.

IANS