Low turnout in Karnal, voting peaceful

KARNAL: Even after all-out efforts by the district administrations and political parties, only around 64 per cent voters cast their vote on Monday in the district. That is a downfall of around 11 per cent compared to the last Assembly elections in 2014 which was around 75 per cent voting in Karnal district.

People stand in a queue at a polling station at Indri, Karnal, on Monday. Tribune photo: Sayeed Ahmed

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 21

Even after all-out efforts by the district administrations and political parties, only around 64 per cent voters cast their vote on Monday in the district. That is a downfall of around 11 per cent compared to the last Assembly elections in 2014 which was around 75 per cent voting in Karnal district.

With the completion of the voting process, the fate of 59 candidates in five Assembly segments was sealed in EVMs across 1,142 polling booths.

While the urban voters disappointed the political parties, the rural areas showed enthusiasm in using their democratic right to vote.

The Karnal Assembly segment, represented by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, witnessed lowest turnout at 52.3 per cent, while Indri segment recorded the highest voting turnout at 71.9 per cent, followed by Assandh (67.30 per cent), Gharaunda (66.5 per cent) and Nilokheri (62.8 per cent).

The low turnout has made the political parties tense. In the last Assembly poll, Assandh had recorded 76.1 per cent voter turnout while it was 79.8 per cent in Gharaunda, 66.1 per cent in Karnal, 78.9 per cent in Indri and 74.3 per cent in Nilokheri.

Karnal is an important district as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is contesting from one of its seats – the Karnal Assembly segment. The trend and reports from the field indicate an edge for the CM. At the other four seats, it is a close fight. The victory margin at two seats could be very thin, trends indicate.

Barring minor incidents of technical snag in EVMs, polling in the district went off peacefully under tight security. At a booth at SPS Convent School on Hansi Road, the VVPAT stopped working. So, it was replaced. Similarly, incidents of technical snag were reported from Taraori, Assandh, Nilokheri and Indri blocks also.

“Voting went off peacefully in the district. No untoward incident has been reported,” said Vinay Pratap Singh, District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner.

In the morning, voter turnout was low. Most polling booths wore a deserted look. However by the evening, polling picked up pace and voters thronged the polling stations.

The first-timers, elders, specially abled and women showed enthusiasm. “I have cast my first vote and it is a wonderful experience. I have contributed to Indian democracy,” said Samriti, a student and first-time voter. 102-year-old woman Rashna Wanti of Sector 13 also cast her vote and appealed to the people to use their right to elect the government.

The candidates and their supporters could be seen convincing the voters outside the polling stations as they had installed their counters to assist the voters. They were taking the stock of the situation from their agents time to time in an attempt to get a clear picture of the polling trend.