SMC polling – Incessant rainfall plays spoilsports, turn-up brisk in early hours
Shimla, May 2
The Incessant rainfall and orange alert warning has disrupted the polling for Shimla Municipal Corporation as the turn up was brisk in the first two hours as only 13 percent votes were recorded till 10AM.
According to State Election Commission polling begin on a very slow note and only 13.17 pc votes were casted including 14.70 pc make and 11.45 pc female. However till 1200 hrs polling percentage improvised to 28.98 pc (30.31 pc and 27.49 pc).
As per a latest update, polling has reached 43.6 percent till 1400 hours.
Incessant rainfall play spoil sports as people could not brave the continued rough weather and there was lack of sufficient arrangement for inclement weather. Especially women and Elderly People are affected by the inclement weather conditions.
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu cast his vote along with his family members at Tibetan Central School Chhota Shimla around 0815 hrs and Former Union Minister Anand Sharma at Kaleston wards. BJP former minister Suresh Bhardwaj also cast his vote in Strawberry hills in Chhouta Shimla ward.
In the 34 wards and around 90,000 Voters are exercising their franchise through 149 polling stations for Shimla MC Election. Polling begin at 0730 hrs which would be held till 1600 hrs and counting of votes would be held on May 4.
Including 54 woman there are total 102 candidates 34 each from Congress and BJP, 21 on AAP, 4 on CPI(M) and 9 on the on the symbol of Independent.
Also read: Controversies and allegations rock Shimla MC poll as parties gear up for election day
Ruling BJP in Shimla MC is in direct fight on 10 wards against ruling state Congress party. There are triangular contest on 16 wards and four corner contest in seven and six corners in one wards.
Meanwhile, BJP former minister Suresh Bhardwaj has lodged protest against Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for casting his vote at Shimla MC poll. He said that no BJP MLA cast his votes in Shimla MC.
However Himachal Pradesh High court deciding the Election petition recently regarding Shimla MC ordered that all those voters who are residing in the town for more than six months are eligible as voters.
Long queue of voters were seen waiting in Benmore wards, Chhota Shimla and Sanjaui, Summerhill, Kaithu and Sangti however polling is going with slowly in rest of wards and affected by the rainfall.
Empower Independent Journalism – Join Us Today!
Dear Reader,
We’re committed to unbiased, in-depth journalism that uncovers truth and gives voice to the unheard. To sustain our mission, we need your help. Your contribution, no matter the size, fuels our research, reporting, and impact.
Stand with us in preserving independent journalism’s integrity and transparency. Support free press, diverse perspectives, and informed democracy.
Click [here] to join and be part of this vital endeavour.
Thank you for valuing independent journalism.
Warmly,
Vishal Sarin, Editor
