Legal Intervention Delays Tijara Municipal Election, Leads to 18‑Vote Victory for Congress

The chairperson contest for Tijara's municipal council in Rajasthan was marked by a legal showdown on Monday night. Councilors arrived late at polling stations, prompting the Rajasthan High Court to extend the voting deadline from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The extension, ordered by Justice Anup Kumar Dhand, was intended to safeguard the democratic process after reports that several councilors were stopped in Haryana while returning from a campaign camp in Himachal Pradesh. After the extended voting period closed, the count showed Congress nominee Ramavatar Saini winning with 18 votes—the precise number required out of 35 councilors. The Returning Officer, together with the Sub‑Divisional Magistrate, formally awarded Saini the election certificate. The court also directed the Bhilwara Additional District Magistrate to submit a detailed report to the State Election Commission, ensuring that the irregularities would be examined.