Udaipur, The first phase of the Urban Local Body Elections-2026 will be held on Wednesday in three municipalities of Udaipur district—Vallabhnagar, Bhinder and Fatehnagar-Sanwar. Polling will be conducted for a total of 70 wards, with 39,957 voters eligible to exercise their franchise. The final training session for polling personnel was conducted on Tuesday at the Sukhadia Rangmanch Auditorium of Udaipur Municipal Corporation. Following the training, polling teams departed for their respective municipal headquarters. The district administration and election machinery have completed all necessary preparations for the first phase of polling. Poll Officials Directed to Ensure Fair and Transparent Polling During the training, Hanumanmal Dhaka, State Election Commission-appointed Observer, and District Election Officer Gaurav Agrawal briefed polling personnel on their responsibilities and the prescribed procedures. Dhaka emphasised that every polling official has an important role in ensuring a smooth election. He directed personnel to strictly follow the State Election Commission’s guidelines and discharge their duties with complete impartiality, transparency and diligence. Officials were also instructed to follow the prescribed procedure in case of any doubt or issue during polling. Gaurav Agrawal said that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. He urged polling teams to remain alert and perform their responsibilities with utmost seriousness while adhering to the rules and instructions at every stage of the electoral process. 76 Polling Teams, Including Reserve Teams, Deployed Under the direction of Additional District Election Officer Dipendra Singh Rathore and Training Cell In-charge Kirti Rathore, Assistant Training Cell In-charge Dr. Mahamaya Prasad Chaubisa conducted training for Presiding Officers and Polling Officers-I, II and III. Each polling team comprises four personnel. A total of 76 polling teams, including reserve teams, have been dispatched for the first phase. Polling materials were distributed from designated distribution and collection centres at the respective municipal headquarters. For security arrangements at polling stations, 200 security personnel have been deployed. Election Facts MunicipalityWardsCandidatesTotal VotersMaleFemaleTransgender Vallabhnagar20678,3144,2224,092— Bhinder255813,9197,0926,8222 Fatehnagar-Sanwar256517,7248,8918,833— Total7019039,95720,20519,7472 Mobile Phones Prohibited at Polling Stations District Election Officer Gaurav Agrawal said that, as per State Election Commission directions, entry into polling stations with mobile phones will be completely prohibited. Voters are required to carry the original voter identity card issued by the Election Commission. If the voter ID card is unavailable, voting will be permitted using any one of 11 approved alternative photo identity documents, provided the voter’s name appears on the municipal electoral roll. The alternative documents must have been issued before August 19, 2026, the date on which the election was announced. Only the original document will be accepted. Soft copies stored on mobile phones and photocopies will not be accepted. 11 Alternative Identity Documents Permitted In the absence of a voter ID card, eligible voters may use any one of the following original documents: Aadhaar Card MGNREGA/VB-G RAM G Job Card Photo passbook issued by a bank or post office Health insurance smart card issued under a Labour Ministry scheme/Ayushman Bharat Health Card Driving Licence PAN Card Indian Passport Photo pension document Photo identity card issued by the Central or State Government, PSU or Public Limited Company to its employees Official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs and MLCs Unique Disability ID (UDID) issued by the Government of India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment The Election Commission has clarified that only the original copies of these documents will be accepted. Voters cannot cast their votes by presenting photocopies or digital/soft copies. Photography and Videography Prohibited Inside Polling and Counting Centres The District Election Officer further clarified that photography and videography will be strictly prohibited inside polling stations and counting centres. Media personnel holding an authorised accreditation/permission letter issued by the State Election Commission will be permitted to cover activities outside polling stations. However, they will not be allowed to enter the polling room or record proceedings inside the polling area. With polling teams deployed, election materials distributed and security arrangements in place, the district administration has geared up for the first phase of the Urban Local Body Elections-2026.