Nearly three years after the setting up of the Municpal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG), residents - with their elected representatives in the civic body - expect better facilities and many positive changes in their lives.
The people of Gurgaon got their much-needed representation in all 35 wards of the MCG on Sunday.
Lalit Mohan Joshi, a resident of Saraswati Vihar, cast his vote with a belief that change would take place with the emergence of people's representatives.
"Everyone in Gurgaon has almost similar problems such as scarcity of power, water, broken roads and encroachments. Now after the elections, there would be someone who can voice our concerns with the higher-ups," said Joshi.
Vipin Sachdeva, a resident of DLF phase 4, is hopeful that the councillors would give a shot in the arm in the rapidly growing city.
"By casting my vote, I have contributed to Gurgaon's development," said Sachdeva.
Deepak Sahni, a resident of Samanyay Apartments, Sector 56, is also equally optimistic. "They (councillors) can help us get basic amenities such as better roads, water, power and improved sewage system. Though, only time will tell whether they work or disappear like other politicians."
RS Rathee, president of residents' welfare body the Gurgaon Citizen Council, also said the councillors, being bestowed with constitutional powers, will be able to work more authoritatively.
{{/usCountry}}RS Rathee, president of residents' welfare body the Gurgaon Citizen Council, also said the councillors, being bestowed with constitutional powers, will be able to work more authoritatively.
{{/usCountry}}Only 65% turnout
About 65% of voters on Sunday exercised their franchise in the first elections of the MCG.
Like other elections, the turnout in posh areas of New Gurgaon remained as low as 20%.
The total number of registered voters are 4,28,000.
The townships, the voters of which failed to turn up in good number, include DLF City, Sushant Lok, South City and many Huda sectors falling under ward No. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35.
Various pressure groups such as 'I Am Gurgaon', 'Cybercity Welfare Society', 'Just My Neighbour' and 'Saksham Gurgaon' had launched campaigns to convince residents of new Gurgaon localities, but to no avail.
Very low turnout was reported at most of the polling booths across the city.
Although booths such as Scottish High School (ward No. 30) witnessed 666 voters out of 1,000 and Chakarpur 899 votes out of 1,200.
Latika Thukral of 'I Am Gurgaon' expressed disappointment over the low turnout. She said that RWAs, with the help of the municipal corporation, made a two-minute documentary which was shown before the beginning of every movie in all the city's multiplexes to spread awareness about the importance of voting.