The Times of india 19.08.2010
75% cast votes in civic polls; conduct code relaxed
JAIPUR/AJMER: An estimated 75% of the 34.69 lakh voters exercised their franchise in the election to 126 civic bodies held on Wednesday. Counting would be held on Friday. With the conclusion of voting, the state election commission has also relaxed the model code of conduct in force.
State election commissioner (SEC) A K Pandey said the commission has relaxed the model code of conduct for the government in inviting tenders, administrative and financial sanction for new projects, giving advertisements at public expense, spending from the discretionary fund and appointments.
Pandey said the election was peaceful, barring a few stray incidents. He said there is no repoll in any of the booths.
According to initial figures, the polling percentage was around 75% at 5 pm. The final figures would be available later, Pandey said.
There was no report of any untoward incident from any of the 40,142 polling booths, he said. Pandey said two EVMs were replaced on complaints of non-functioning in Chittorgarh district, while a stray incident of stone- throwing was reported in Dausa after a voter found his name missing from the voters’ list.
In Ajmer, complaints of missing names were reported initially. However, on enquiry it was found the names were registered in other wards following shifting of residents, the SEC said.
Minor clashes among supporters of various political parties at some places in Bikaner, Sikar and Dausa districts were reported when supporters of the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP engaged in altercations and scuffles.
Of the 10,132 candidates, 633 candidates contested for the post of chairmen, including one mayor’s post and 9,499 for ward members in 126 civic bodies.
Polling for municipal corporation elections in Ajmer remained peaceful and there was about 50% polling reported till 4 pm. There was a complaint of non-working of EVM machine in ward 45 and complaints about missing names from the voter list.
The district administration made tight security arrangements at polling booths. The voting remained slow in the morning. However, it gathered momentum by noon and about 1, 43, 853 out of 3,59, 350 voters cast their votes till 3 pm.
For the first time there is a direct fight for mayor’s post. Kamal Bakoliya of Congress is locked in a direct fight with Priyasheel Hada of BJP. There are more than 400 candidates who are trying their luck for 55 wards of the municipal corporation.
