A total of 77 candidates, including 37 women, have been elected unopposed in Rajasthan’s urban local body elections. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured the highest number of uncontested victories, with 44 candidates winning without a contest. The Congress followed with 16 unopposed winners, while 17 independent candidates also secured victories, according to election officials.

Women made up nearly half of the candidates elected unopposed. Among the 37 women winners, four were among the youngest candidates to secure victories in the civic polls. The Congress’s Sofia, 22, emerged as the youngest candidate elected unopposed. She represents Ramgarh Shekhawati Nagar Palika in Sikar district.

Sofia was followed by her Congress colleague Mona Bano, 23, who won unopposed from Basani Nagar Palika in Nagaur district. BJP candidate Pinki Kumari, 24, from Pahari Nagar Palika in Deeg district was another young winner. The remaining 17 candidates who won without facing an opponent are independents.

The BJP accounted for about 56.4 per cent of the total unopposed victories. The Congress secured 20.5 per cent, while independent candidates accounted for 23.1 per cent of the uncontested wins. The results give the BJP a clear lead among candidates who have already secured seats without a direct electoral contest.

Voting will still take place for 232 seats across Rajasthan’s urban local bodies. Polling for the remaining seats is scheduled for September 9 and September 11. The elections will decide representatives for the wards where candidates will face a contest.

The state capital Jaipur has recorded a different trend. No candidate has been declared elected unopposed from any of the city’s 150 wards. This means all 150 wards in Jaipur will continue through the electoral process, unlike several other districts where candidates have already secured victories without a contest.

Deeg recorded the highest number of uncontested winners in the state, with 10 candidates elected unopposed. Chittorgarh followed with six such victories, while Sikar recorded five. Alwar, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur and Khairthal-Tijara each recorded four unopposed winners. Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur district, Dholpur and Jalore recorded three each.

Deeg also stood out for the large number of independent candidates among its uncontested winners. Seven of the 10 candidates elected unopposed in the district are independents. In Chittorgarh, all six candidates who won without a contest belong to the BJP.

The BJP also secured a complete sweep among the unopposed candidates in Bilara in Jodhpur, where all four winners belong to the ruling party. BJP candidates were also elected unopposed in Jalore, Dungarpur, Jhunjhunu, Pali and Rajsamand. These victories add to the party’s strong showing among the candidates who have already secured seats.

The 16 Congress candidates elected unopposed come from several parts of the state. Their victories include areas such as Bundi, Dausa, Dholpur, Sri Ganganagar, Jaisalmer, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu and Kota. The party has therefore secured uncontested representation across a number of districts despite trailing the BJP in the overall count.

Independent candidates have also made a significant mark in the unopposed results. They have secured victories in Bharatpur, Deeg, Dholpur, Jhunjhunu and Karauli, among other areas. Their 17 victories account for nearly a quarter of all candidates elected without a contest.

With 77 candidates already elected unopposed, the focus now shifts to the remaining 232 seats. The upcoming polling on September 9 and September 11 will determine the winners in wards where candidates are still competing. Jaipur, in particular, will see contests across all its 150 wards, making the capital one of the key areas to watch as Rajasthan’s urban local body election process continues.