The elections to the 15 wards of the Palampur Municipal Corporation witnessed an enthusiastic response from voters, with a final turnout of 68.97 per cent recorded on polling day on Sunday. After beginning on a slow note in the morning, the pace of voting picked up significantly by noon as large numbers of voters turned up at polling stations to exercise their franchise.
According to reports received from election officials, over 50 per cent of the electorate had cast their votes by 1 pm across all wards of the MC. In several wards, the polling percentage touched an impressive 65 to 75 per cent, reflecting enthusiastic participation in the civic body elections.
Polling remained peaceful throughout the day, with voters standing in queues outside polling stations despite the scorching heat. Election authorities had made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections, while security was tightened at sensitive polling booths to maintain law and order and ensure free and fair polling.
Scenes of enthusiasm and commitment to democracy were witnessed at many polling booths as elderly voters also came forward to cast their votes. Seventy-five-year-old Rano Devi and 70-year-old Satya Devi were brought to polling booths in Ward No. 14 and Ward No. 3, respectively, in wheelchairs by their family members so that they could participate in the democratic process. Their determination to vote drew appreciation from polling officials and local residents present at the booths.
