Haryana State Election Commissioner Dhanpat Singh announced on Sunday that the elections for various Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Municipalities in the state were successfully conducted without any incidents of violence. The vote counting is set to begin at 8 am on March 12, with results expected to be released on the same day.

Singh highlighted the comprehensive measures implemented by the Commission to ensure that the urban local body elections were carried out in a peaceful, fair, and transparent manner. Observers for general, police, and expenditure matters were appointed to oversee the electoral process.

Additionally, duty magistrates, supervisors, presiding officers, and polling officers were designated to oversee all associated responsibilities. A sufficient police presence was deployed for security, with extra personnel assigned to sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations. A control room was established at Nirvachan Sadan to monitor the electoral process effectively.

Singh reported that voting took place for the positions of Mayor and Ward Members in the Municipal Corporations of Manesar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal, and Yamunanagar. Furthermore, elections were conducted for the by-election of Mayors in the Municipal Corporations of Ambala and Sonipat.

Voting also occurred for the roles of Pradhan (President) and Ward Members in the Municipal Councils of Ambala Sadar, Pataudi-Jatauli Mandi, Thanesar, and Sirsa, alongside the by-election for Pradhan in the Municipal Council of Sohna.

In total, general elections were held across 7 Municipal Corporations in 19 districts (excluding Panchkula, Rohtak, and Rewari) and by-elections for the Mayor in 2 Municipal Corporations (Ambala and Sonipat). Additionally, general elections took place in 4 Municipal Councils (Ambala Sadar, Sirsa, Thanesar, and Pataudi-Jatauli Mandi), with a by-election for the President/Pradhan in Sohna, district Gurugram. There were also general elections in 21 municipalities and by-elections for the Pradhan positions in 2 municipalities — Assandh in Karnal and Ismailabad in Kurukshetra, along with Ward Member by-elections in Ward No. 14 of Municipal Corporation Safidon and Ward No. 15 of Tarawadi.

A total of 5,106,134 voters were registered for these elections. However, voter turnout appeared to be lower in the by-elections for Mayor in the Ambala and Sonipat Municipal Corporations. Similarly, turnout was notably low in the two metropolitan municipalities adjacent to Delhi: Faridabad and Gurugram. Despite the official voting deadline of 6 pm, voters were seen queuing to cast their ballots and were allowed to do so.

Overall, the elections were executed positively, with no reports of violence or disturbances across the state. Singh noted that voting was also held for the posts of Pradhan (President) and Ward Members in various Nagar Palikas, including Barara, Bawani Khera, Siwani, Loharu, Jakhal Mandi, Farukhnagar, Narnaund, Beri, Julana, Siwan, Pundri, Kalayat, Nilokheri, Indri, Ateli Mandi, Kanina, Tawadu, Hathin, Kalanaur, Kharkhoda, and Radaur Ismailabad.

Singh further mentioned that voting in Municipal Corporation Panipat is scheduled for March 9. The counting of votes from today’s elections and those for Panipat on March 9 will occur simultaneously on March 12, with the results announced on the same day.