Manesar debuts with flying colours in MC poll, records 64.8% voter turnout

In a clear example of debutante enthusiasm in the civic body poll, Manesar recorded 64.8 per cent voter turnout in its first ever elections.

The industrial town of Gurugram district had got a dedicated Municipal Corporation almost four years ago. A mix of posh condominiums and villages, the town went for civic body polls for the very first time and the voter turnout has highlighted the enthusiasm and faith of the residents in the civic agency and public representatives.

The town left behind Gurugram city, which despite being super active on social media regarding civic issues, was left way behind with just 41.4 per cent voter turnout. The turnout has left all candidates elated who believe that with such high percentage results will be public mandate in true sense.

“We started slow in the morning, but by the evening, Manesar superseded all our expectations. People who have faith in the civic institutions came out and voted. We now have faith that the result will show public’s true mandate,” said BJP’s

Mayoral candidate, Sunder Lal Yadav.

The pick and drop facility was also provided to voters by candidates.

“Societies and condominiums, which form a major part of Manesar, require a shout out. Residents came out and voted,” said Praveen Malik, Independent candidate from Ward 4.Out of a total of 97,073 registered voters in Manesar’s 20 wards, over 62,000 exercised their franchise by 8 pm. The final tally is expected to increase slightly once all votes are accounted for.

Independent mayoral candidate Inderjeet Yadav credited the high voter turnout to rural areas, saying villagers ran the show.

“The villagers have been the best performers. The polls in rural areas were filled with voters.

They had the longest queues. The local villages have had the biggest civic crises, and they see these elections as their chance to redemption,” said Yadav. In contrast to Manesar, Gurugram’s urban areas showed minimal enthusiasm with over all percentage making it to only 42 per cent.

The residents cited various reasons for skipping the elections, including lack of awareness, distrust in local governance and a general sense of disconnect from municipal issues. In many areas, the residents complained about missing votes, no idea about the polling booths concerned.