Election fever grips Sirsa as voting day approaches

In Sirsa, the Municipal Council (MC) elections are just around the corner and the preparations are in full swing. On Saturday afternoon, polling teams reached voting booths to make sure everything was ready for the big day. These teams were given all necessary material for voting at the Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU) multipurpose hall before being sent to their respective booths. Each team has at least four to five members.

Advertisement

There are 32 wards and 143 polling booths in Sirsa. Among these, 27 booths are very sensitive and 13 are considered sensitive. Extra security has been arranged for these 40 booths, with at least 1,000 police personnel assigned to ensure safety of voters and officials.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikrant Bhushan explained that 28 patrol teams were formed to keep an eye on the law and order situation in the city. The teams would monitor all areas carefully, he said. The teams, including DSPs, CIA and the narcotics cell, would be on patrol duty to keep things under control, he added.

According to the State Election Commission’s announcement, voting would take place on March 2 for the post of chairperson and councillors. The counting of votes would be held on March 12. To maintain peace and order, the district administration also imposed a ban on the sale of alcohol in the areas which go to polls. Hotels, restaurants, clubs and liquor shops are not allowed to sell or serve alcohol during the election period.

Ashok Tanwar, former Member of Parliament (MP) from Sirsa, who had stayed away from campaigning, joined the race on Saturday. He supported Independent candidates Amit Soni and Neetu Soni, who are contesting from Ward No. 20 and Ward No. 21, respectively.

As voting day approached, candidates focused on door-to-door campaigning. With just one day left, they worked hard to convince residents to vote in their favour. They visited homes and met voters until late in the night. Voting would begin at 8 am on Sunday.

Seven candidates are contesting for the chairperson’s post. Among them are Shanti Swaroop Valmiki from the BJP, Jaswinder Kaur from the Congress, Om Prakash from the INLD, Praveen Kumar from the JJP, Kavita Nagar from the AAP and two Independents Rajendra Kumar and Ashok Chindalia.

In 32 wards, 122 candidates are contesting for the councillor’s post. The BJP is the only party whose candidates have — the lotus — the party symbol. Local MLA Gokul Setia is also supporting candidates in all 32 wards.