Local body elections: Polling peaceful, results on Aug 20
Polling for 129 local bodies including Ajmer municipal corporation, 15 municipal councils and 133 municipalities concluded in 31 districts peacefully barring a few incidents of clashes and glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs). Polling was held at 4,300 booths. Results of the polling will be declared on August 20
Polling for 129 local bodies including Ajmer municipal corporation, 15 municipal councils and 133 municipalities concluded in 31 districts peacefully barring a few incidents of clashes and glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs). Polling was held at 4,300 booths. Results of the polling will be declared on August 20.
According to the state election commission, preliminary statistics recorded 76.5% polling but the actual figure would be available after collation of all records.
There are a total of 3,351 wards, but candidates in 45 wards were earlier elected unopposed. Election of chairperson will be held on August 21 while for deputy chairman it will be held on August 22.
The polls are important for the ruling BJP as it is facing rebellion and anti-incumbency and had tasked all ministers, MLAs, MPs, other elected representatives and party workers to approach the voters and ensure victory in maximum number of local bodies.
BJP state president Ashok Parnami said heavy polling is an example of the will power of voters to bring change for development in civic bodies.
The opposition Congress too is trying to regain its lost ground.
Incidents of bogus voting were reported from few places. One person was held on charges of casting bogus vote at Chomu in Jaipur and Rs 1.35 lakh in cash recovered from his possession. At Nawalgarh in Jhunjhunu district, the police held the brother of a candidate on charges of casting fake vote. Police said district supporters of candidates clashed and two EVMs were damaged at Fatehpur in Sikar. SEC commissioner Ram Lubhaya said data of machines was saved after miscreants tried to enter booth number 29 at Fatehpur. The EVMs were replaced and polling resumed.
The EVM at a booth in Laxmangarh municipality malfunctioned due to which polling was stopped for 30 minutes. Similar incident occurred at Sri Madhopur municipality and some other locations. Lubhaya said extra time was given where EVMs stopped working.
Cash recovered
The Hanumangarh police recovered cash worth `4 lakh from a car. Police said a Scorpio car bearing registration number of Punjab was intercepted near a polling booth at Bhadra town when the vehicle occupants abandoned it. The police believe the money was probably meant for use during civic polls. A case under Section 102 of CrPC was lodged in this connection.