The civic body elections in the towns of Rajpura, Nabha, Samana, and Patran witnessed a voter turnout of approximately 61 percent, with the polling process marred by sporadic clashes and allegations of irregularities. The elections, held on Sunday, saw voters queuing up at various polling stations since early morning, with the highest turnout recorded in Rajpura at around 65 percent, while Nabha registered 58 percent, Samana 60 percent, and Patran 59 percent.
Clashes and Complaints
Clashes broke out at several polling booths across the four towns, leading to tension and brief disruptions. In Rajpura, supporters of rival candidates exchanged heated arguments and pushed each other outside a booth in Ward 12, prompting police intervention. Similarly, in Nabha, a scuffle was reported near a polling station in Ward 5, where allegations of bogus voting were raised. Samana witnessed a clash between two groups over alleged booth capturing, which was later controlled by the police. Patran also saw minor incidents of verbal altercations, but no major violence was reported.
Allegations of Rigging
Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accused the ruling party of manipulating the voting process. Congress leaders claimed that their agents were not allowed to enter some polling stations, while AAP workers alleged that fake votes were being cast. The ruling party, however, denied these allegations, stating that the elections were conducted fairly and peacefully. The Election Commission officials said they were investigating the complaints and had deployed additional security forces to maintain order.
Key Candidates and Campaigns
The elections saw a direct contest between the ruling party and the opposition, with local issues such as water supply, sewage, and road infrastructure dominating the campaigns. In Rajpura, the ruling party candidate focused on the development works undertaken in the past five years, while the opposition promised better civic amenities. Nabha witnessed a high-profile contest with former municipal council members fighting for control. Samana and Patran also saw intense campaigning, with candidates making door-to-door visits and holding public meetings.
Voter Sentiments
Voters expressed mixed reactions. Many said they voted for development and better services, while others cited dissatisfaction with the current administration. "We want proper roads and drainage. That is our main demand," said a voter in Rajpura. Another voter in Nabha said, "We hope the new council will address our water shortage issues." The polling was largely peaceful except for the isolated incidents, and the counting of votes is scheduled for Monday.
Security Arrangements
To ensure smooth polling, the administration had made elaborate security arrangements. Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed across the four towns, with quick reaction teams stationed at sensitive booths. CCTV cameras were installed at some polling stations to monitor the process. Despite the clashes, the overall polling percentage was considered satisfactory by the authorities.
