58% polling in Kalka, 59.3% in Panchkula

The district saw an overall voter turnout of 58.70 per cent amid peaceful polling. In the Kalka Assembly segment, the voter turnout was about 58 per cent, while the Panchkula constituency saw 59.30 per cent polling.

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As many as 455 polling stations were set up for 4,38,245 voters in the district. Polling, which began at 7 am, saw a slow start. Only 3.0 per cent voters had cast their vote till 9 am. Voting in both Kalka and Panchkula remained 2.1 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively, in initial hours.

By 11 am, over 41,506 (20.5 per cent) votes had been polled in Kalka and 40,138 (17.0 per cent) in Panchkula.

Residents speak

The residents of Panchkula want a change of the government. It is clearly visible in low voting in Morni, Barwala and other areas. Lachhi Ram Sharma, Panchkula CITU secretary

The voting remained normal in our area barring a minor incident at Sector 17 polling station. All my family members, including my wife, son and grandson, voted. SK Nayar, president of Citizen Welfare Association

I voted for the BJP for having carried out development works without discrimination. Subhash Chand, a resident of Rattewali village

The Congress government will ensure development in the whole region, which has been missing for many years. We will definitely fulfil all our promises. Chander Mohan, Congress

Panchkula saw voting in support of the BJP. It was peaceful. The party will form the state government for the third consecutive time. Gian Chand Gupta, BJP

The response we received was more than what we expected. Due to my clean image, I am positive that the people of Panchkula voted for me for a better future of the constituency. Prem Garg, AAP

The turnout had remained at the same pace for the next two hours. By 1 pm, the district witnessed an overall voter turnout of 35.9 per cent — 40.5 per cent in Kalka and 32.1 per cent in Panchkula.

Till 3 pm, only 45.7 per cent overall votes had been cast with the count breaching the 50 per cent mark (51.7 per cent) in Kalka. Panchkula logged 40.6 per cent voting by then. By late evening, polling picked up and reached 58 per cent and 59.30 per cent in Kalka and Panchkula, respectively.

Factors that affected turnout

A number of factors affected the voter turnout, including hot weather, ongoing festive season and the long weekend, as many people preferred to enjoy time with families over voting. The parties and the District Election Office had pitched tents to protect voters from the scorching sun. Rubal, a resident of Panchkula city, said he had gone to Himachal Pradesh to enjoy the weekend. He said, “As colleges and schools were closed for three days, I and my brother planned a getaway and left for a destination in HP early on Friday.”

Minor incidents

• Around 9 am, residents of Rajiv Colony, who were carrying brooms, asked people to vote for AAP, barely 20 metres from the entrance to the polling booth at Government High School, Sector 17. The police quickly dispersed the crowd.
• At Govt School, Sector 20, and Fatehpur village, voters alleged that the EVMs were not working.
• In the afternoon, local BJP leaders raised slogans of “Jai Sri Ram” near the polling booth at the Government High School, Sector 17. Congress workers also shouted at them. More police force was called to diffuse the situation.
• Dr Kshitij Chaudhary, INLD candidate from Panchkula, said he was stopped from entering a polling booth at Budhanpur village.
• A man allegedly pulled out a knife at another voter at Abheypur village in the afternoon. Residents said the two had entered into a scuffle over their position in the queue.