Dehradun: Voters in Uttarakhand have shown great enthusiasm since morning. By 10 am, approximately 12% of voters had cast their ballots. In Dehradun Municipal Corporation, the voting percentage was 9.23%, in Rishikesh 11.28%, Tehri 9.67%, and Srinagar Municipal Corporation 12.51%. In Doiwala Municipality, it was 10.10%.
Voting commenced at 8 am across 100 municipal bodies. The Election Commission has deployed 16,284 personnel and more than 18,000 policemen to ensure a smooth voting process. Around 30.29 lakh voters are expected to participate.
Long queues were observed at polling booths
Long queues were observed at polling booths from the hills to the plains. In Dehradun, mayoral candidate Saurabh Thapliyal was seen waiting in line to vote. The voting percentage in previous civic elections has been steadily increasing. This year, the State Election Commission aims to further increase the turnout, estimating a voting percentage between 70% to 75%. Elections are being held for the first time in Srinagar, Almora, and Pithoragarh municipal corporations, which were previously municipalities.
Security Measures
The police have set up 185 checking barriers, with 117 monitored through CCTV cameras. Over 18,000 security personnel, including police, PAC, home guards, and PRD jawans, are deployed across the state. There are 1,516 polling centers and 3,394 polling stations, including 592 sensitive and 412 hypersensitive ones.
Different colour ballot papers
Different colours are used for various positions: blue for mayor, white for councillors/ward members, green for Nagar Palika Adhyaksh, and pink for Nagar Panchayat Adhyaksh. NOTA (None of the Above) is also an option. There are 72 mayor candidates in 11 municipal corporations, 445 candidates for president positions in 89 municipalities and councils, and 4,888 candidates for ward member/councillor positions.
Voters require these documents to vote
Voters can use various identification documents, including Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving License, and more.
Polling stations and bodies
In the Uttarakhand civic polls, voting is taking place across various districts with a total of 100 municipal bodies involved. The district-wise breakdown includes Almora with 5 bodies and 33 polling stations, Uttarkashi with 5 bodies and 49 polling stations, US Nagar with 17 bodies and 232 polling stations, Chamoli with 10 bodies and 63 polling stations, Champawat with 4 bodies and 23 polling stations, Tehri with 10 bodies and 66 polling stations, Dehradun with 7 bodies and 440 polling stations, Nainital with 7 bodies and 164 polling stations, Pithoragarh with 6 bodies and 60 polling stations, Pauri with 7 bodies and 129 polling stations, Bageshwar with 3 bodies and 24 polling stations, Rudraprayag with 5 bodies and 26 polling stations, and Haridwar with 14 bodies and 208 polling stations. In total, there are 100 bodies with 1,517 polling stations throughout the state. Kichha and Narendranagar Nagar Palikas not included.
