Counting of votes for Haryana’s seven urban local bodies begins

CHANDIGARH: In a straight contest between the ruling BJP and the principal Opposition Congress, counting of ballots for Haryana’s seven urban local bodies, besides 528 panchayats, began on Wednesday that saw a voter turnout of 54.5 per cent.

The municipal corporations are of Ambala, Panchkula and Sonipat, besides elections to the Rewari municipal council and municipal committees in Sampla, Dharuhera and Uklana.

By-elections for one ward each were also held in Tohana, Jhajjar, Rajound, Taraori, Kanina and Sadhaura.

The BJP and the Congress party are the main parties in the fray.

BJP candidates Akshita Saini, Shyamlal Bansal and Rajiv Jain are contesting the mayoral races in Ambala, Panchkula and Sonipat, respectively, while the Congress has fielded Kulwinder Kaur, Sudha Bhardwaj and Kamal Diwan.

A total of 475,948 votes were cast out of 8,73,177 voters. State Election Commissioner Devender Kalyan said instructions have been issued to district election officers and returning officers to ensure transparency in the counting of votes.

He said the counting process will be closely monitored to maintain credibility. Special police security has been deployed at the counting centres. Authorities have also ordered strict monitoring of anti-social elements.