New Delhi: Polling is underway for the election of mayors and all ward members across seven municipal corporations in Haryana. The voting process, which began at 8am, will continue until 6pm.
Elections are being held in the municipal corporations of Gurugram, Manesar, Faridabad, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal, and Yamunanagar. Additionally, byelections for the post of mayor in Ambala and Sonipat municipal corporations are also taking place.
Voters are also casting their ballots for the election of presidents and all ward members in four municipal councils—Ambala Sadar, Pataudi Jatoli Mandi, Thanesar, and Sirsa—along with a byelection for the president’s post in the municipal council of Sohna, Gurugram district.
Stringent security measures in place
Similarly, elections are being conducted for the presidents and all ward members of 21 municipal committees. Byelections for the post of president in the municipal committees of Assandh (Karnal district) and Ismailabad (Kurukshetra district) are also being held.
Among the early voters was Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who cast his vote at a polling booth in Karnal. Urging citizens to participate in the democratic process, he said, “Casting a vote is not only our democratic right but also our duty.”
Haryana state election commissioner Dhanpat Singh assured that extensive arrangements, including stringent security measures, have been made to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election.
According to official data, 39 candidates are contesting for mayoral positions across nine municipal corporations, while 27 candidates are vying for the presidency in five municipal councils. A total of 151 candidates are in the fray for the position of president in 23 municipal committees.
Unopposed winners in many wards
In some wards, only one candidate has filed a nomination, leading to their unopposed election. These include Ward No 36 of Faridabad municipal corporation, Ward No 22 of Gurugram municipal corporation, Ward Nos 8 and 11 of Karnal municipal corporation, and Ward No 9 of Yamunanagar municipal corporation.
Unopposed winners have also been declared in Ward No 24 of Ambala Sadar municipal council, Ward Nos 7 and 32 of Thanesar municipal council, and 17 ward members in various municipal committees.
The elections are being conducted through electronic voting machines (EVMs), with polling for the Panipat municipal corporation scheduled for March 9. Vote counting will begin at 8am on March 12, with results set to be announced the same day.
Ahead of the polls, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a victory, stating that the formation of a “triple-engine” government would accelerate development at three times the current pace. Meanwhile, the Congress has urged voters to grant the party a full majority.
