PRI elections: Process over as 86% polling recorded in final phase - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

PRI elections: Process over as 86% polling recorded in final phase

Hindustan Times | ByHT Correspondents, Chandigarh
Jan 24, 2016 08:47 PM IST

Over 86% votes were polled in the third and last phase of the elections to panchayati raj institutions in 17 districts of Haryana on Sunday. As it happened in the second phase, Sirsa recorded the highest turnout with over 91% votes polled.

Over 86% votes were polled in the third and last phase of the elections to panchayati raj institutions in 17 districts of Haryana on Sunday. As it happened in the second phase, Sirsa recorded the highest turnout with over 91% votes polled.

The third phase of the PRI polls were conducted smoothly. Women line up outside a polling booth, waiting to cast their vote..(HT Photo)
The third phase of the PRI polls were conducted smoothly. Women line up outside a polling booth, waiting to cast their vote..(HT Photo)

It was followed by Kurukshetra (90%), Yamunanagar, Panipat and Kaithal (88%), Ambala and Mahendergarh (87%).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Polling was held on Sunday for 1,550 seats of sarpanches, 5,362 seats of panches and 751 seats of members of panchayat samitis.

About 11,584 candidates, including 4,581 women, were in fray for the seats of panches, while over 6,370 candidates were contesting for the posts of sarpanches. About 2,877 candidates were in fray for the posts of members of panchayat samitis.

Good turnout in Karnal, Panipat

Karnal, Panipat, Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar districts registered 85% voting in the final phase of panchayati raj institution polls. Voters took part in the democratic process with enthusiasm in Karnal and adjoining districts on a foggy Sunday. Braving biting cold conditions, villagers in large numbers queued up at the polling booths.

Barring a few verbal duels, no untoward incident of serious in nature was reported from anywhere in the four districts.

The polling started on a slow note, but picked up momentum as the day progressed.

74% polling in Hisar, Fatehabad districts

HISAR: The third and final phase of panchayat elections ended peacefully in Mandi Adampur, Agroha and Uklana blocks of Hisar district and Jakhal and Ratia that of Fatehabad district.

The Hisar district recorded a polling percentage of 74.5 — 64.4% in Adampur, 81.7% in Agroha and 76.6% in Ulkana blocks. In Fatehabad district, 85.3% polling was recorded —85.1% in Jakhal and 85.4% in Ratia.

A large number of elderly people came out of their houses to cast their votes on Sunday. A 90-year-old old man, Ram Chander, said, “The temperature is not suitable for the elderly, but, we are here to cast our votes and select our village head.”

Daya Devi, in her eighties, said, “It took more than 20 minutes to cast my vote for the posts of sarpanch, panch, zila parishad and block samiti. But we are happy that young and educated sarpanches are becoming the heads of villages.”

“It is too cold, but casting vote is also our duty. Everybody must understand this and should cast his or her vote without fail,” Daya Devi added.

Young voters in large numbers too took exercised their franchise at Kishangarh and Sadalpur area. Pooja Rani, Rekha, and Sulochana Rani said, “We are voting for the first time. One of the candidates for the sarpanch’s post in Kishangarh village is our best friend and we are doing MSc together. We are looking forward to see her as the sarpanch.”

Meanwhile, Luxmi Devi, cousin sister ofchief parliamentary secretary Kamal Gupta, lost the sarpanch’s election in Adampur panchayat by 1,373 votes. Luxmi Devi was polled 1,809 votes against winner Subhash Aggrawal’s 3,182 votes.

91% exercise their franchise in Sirsa dist

Amid tight security arrangements, the third and final phase of elections

to Panchayati Raj Institutions in 101 villages of Sirsa district’s two blocks ended peacefully on Sunday with 91% turnout, the highest in thelast leg.

Office-bearers of 10 panchayats in the district have been elected unopposed.

Polling was recorded at 93.4% in Nathusari Chaupta block, while it was 88.6% in Sirsa block.

On a freezing Sunday, 2,00,326 voters polled their votes in the district.

The panchayats where the members have been elected unopposed are: Khedi, Kukarthana, Ludesar villages of Nathusari Chaupta block; Chatargarhpatti, Dhani Rampura, Ding Road, Mirpur, Rasoolpur, Sanghar and Shah Satnaam Pura villages of Sirsa block.

As Sirsa shares border with Punjab and Rajasthan, the boundaries of the district had been sealed. According to the sources, police arrested some armed people from Jamal village.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On