The polling for the election of the mayor and 20 ward members of the Ambala Municipal Corporation concluded peacefully on Sunday, with around 54.4 per cent voter turnout recorded across the city.
More than 1.98 lakh voters were eligible to cast their votes to decide the fate of 65 candidates contesting for 20 ward seats and three candidates in the mayoral contest — BJP’s Akshita Saini, Congress candidate Kulwinder Kaur and Independent Sonia Rani.
The district administration had set up 191 polling booths for the elections.
Women voters, senior citizens and first-time electors were seen participating enthusiastically during the polling process. Several elderly voters, despite difficulty in walking, reached polling stations with assistance from family members and volunteers.
An electronic voting machine (EVM) reportedly developed a technical snag at one polling booth, but officials replaced it promptly.
After casting his vote at Government Middle School, 75-year-old Gian Parkash Kansal said local civic issues influenced his choice.
“We have voted after evaluating the performance of the previous House, and on the issues of sanitation, encroachment, garbage lifting, stray animals, waterlogging and condition of parks. We are hopeful that the new House and mayor will focus on all the local issues and resolve them on priority,” he said.
Another voter, Rekha Rani, stressed the importance of electing capable representatives.
“People should cast their vote and elect good candidates so that the issues related to the corporation can be resolved. If we fail to elect good representatives, then we have no other choice but to regret till the next elections,” she said.
Some tense moments were witnessed at polling booths in Ward 8, where BJP candidate Meena Dhingra and Congress candidate Gunjeet Kaur are locked in a direct contest. Heated exchanges reportedly took place between supporters and family members of both candidates over approaching voters standing in queues and outside polling booths.
Concerned over the relatively low voter turnout, leaders and candidates of both the BJP and Congress appealed to residents to step out and exercise their franchise.
Senior BJP leader and former minister of state Aseem Goel expressed confidence in the party’s performance.
“There was a sense of excitement among the BJP workers and the voters, and I am confident that the voters have voted for the development of Ambala. The BJP will win all 21 seats of the Corporation,” he said.
Ambala Congress Committee (Urban) president Pawan Aggarwal claimed voters had rejected the BJP government’s policies.
“The voters have voted against the corruption and wrong policies of BJP. The silent voters are going to play the decisive role. The voters chose discretion over disclosure. They were meeting everyone but not opening their cards,” he said.
Commenting on the turnout, Aggarwal added, “It was disappointing to see that the people don’t want to even raise their voice for their rights and the same thing was witnessed during polling. A sense of insecurity has prevailed among the voters.”
Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh Shekhawat, who visited several polling booths during the day, said adequate police force had been deployed at the strongroom for the security of EVMs.
Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomer said the polling process remained peaceful across all booths.
“The election went off peacefully on all the booths. There was no report of any dispute or violence,” he said.
