Shimla: Being tipped as the precursor to the general assembly election due later in the year, the Sunday poll here saw a good turnout for the Shimla Municipal Election with the officials putting the number at 64.8 percent voters who had cast their franchise by evening when polling closed.
Electoral officer Manish Garg disclosed that of the 79956 registered voters in the civic body as many as 51,235 cast their votes.
In the 25 wards, the highest voter turnout 74.71 percent was recorded in Tutikandi ward and the lowest 50.83 percent in Totu ward, the election officers said.
Polling opened up early at 7 a.m. and within two hours 13% polling was recorded, which by 11 a.m. had gone upto 28 percent and by 2 p.m. had touched 50 percent.
In all there are 95 candidates in the fray which include 7 for mayors post, 5 for deputy mayors post and 83 are contesting for the 25 ward councillors elections.
Of the 25 wards, 13 stand reserved for women candidates for which there are 43 who are contesting the election.
Besides for the mayor post there are two women candidate and for the deputy mayor post there is one women candidate in the fray.
Election officials said that polling was peaceful and counting would begin early on Monday.
Since elections were started for the corporation in 1986, this is the first time that they are being contested on party symbol basis, with the mayors and deputy mayors election being a direct one.
Counted as one of oldest municipal corporations in the country that was registered in 1851, results of the current elections are expected to have bearing on the autumn general assembly elections later in the year.
Hectic campaigning was witnessed in the entire municipality with the electoral battle finishing as a close triangular one between Congress, BJP and CPI(M).
While Congress campaign did see the participation of two union ministers, Anand Sharma and Virbhadra Singh, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal led the charge for BJP and CPI(M) roped in its politburo member Sitaram Yechury.
No Ward Name Votes Cast Percent
1 Bhrari 2155 1462 67.84
2 RulduBhatta 3610 2276 63.05
3 Kaithu 2561 1761 68.76
4 Annadale 2695 1820 67.53
5 Summerhill 2704 1911 70.67
6 Tutu 3563 1811 50.83
7 Boieluganj 4202 2883 68.61
8 Tutikandi 2309 1725 74.71
9 Nabha 2516 1811 71.98
10 Fagli 2739 1796 65.69
11 Krishnanagar 3513 2430 69.17
12 Ram Bazar 3300 2196 66.55
13 Lower Jakhu 2541 1608 63.28
14 Jakhu 2285 1473 64.46
15 Benmore 1840 1127 61.25
16 Engine Ghar 2620 1703 65.00
17 Sanjauli Chowk 2849 1800 63.18
18 Dhalli 2786 1913 68.66
19 Chamyana 3227 2291 70.99
20 Malyana 4010 2452 61.15
21 Kasumpati 4425 2477 55.98
22 Chota Shimla 6125 3317 54.16
23 Patyog 4992 2897 58.03
24 Khalini 3626 5443 67.37
25 Kalnog 2763 1852 67.03
Photo: Amit
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
