Kolhapur witnessed a significant civic election on Thursday, but the city could not uphold its established tradition of robust voter participation. The final turnout settled at 66.54%, a figure that fell short of previous benchmarks.
Polling Process and Extended Hours
Voting commenced precisely at 7:30 AM across 593 designated booths. These booths were set up to elect 81 corporators representing 20 distinct wards within Kolhapur city. Although the official polling period concluded at 6:30 PM, numerous booths experienced extended activity. Long queues persisted at several locations well past the deadline.
A notable example occurred at the Sheeladevi D Shinde High School in Tapovan. Voting activities there finally wrapped up around 8:15 PM, highlighting the continued voter engagement even after official hours.
Turnout Trends and Official Expectations
Election officials closely monitored the participation rates throughout the day. The figures revealed a steady increase as hours passed. By 9:30 AM, the turnout stood at 9.64%. It climbed to 22.45% by 11:30 AM, reached 37% at 1:30 PM, and hit 50.85% by 3:30 PM.
According to data from the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC), a total of 251,548 voters from a registered electorate of 494,711 had cast their ballots by 3:30 PM. Despite this growing participation, officials expressed a clear expectation. They claimed the city's final turnout was unlikely to surpass the 70% mark recorded during the 2017 municipal corporation election.
Varied Voter Enthusiasm Across the City
Voter enthusiasm displayed a distinct geographic pattern. High energy was particularly visible in slum localities and the older sections of Kolhapur. Political candidates, accompanied by their families and supporters, stationed themselves outside booths. They actively urged residents to come out and vote.
In contrast, polling centres in upmarket neighbourhoods told a different story. Areas like Tarabai Park, Nagala Park, Ruikar Colony, Rajarampuri, and Takala witnessed a relatively weaker voter response. This was especially noticeable during the afternoon hours when several booths in these areas appeared nearly empty.
On-Ground Dynamics and Minor Disruptions
The election day was not without its minor incidents. Reports emerged of small clashes between rival party workers at specific locations. These included Bindu Chowk, Sadar Bazar, and Shivaji Peth. However, police intervention was prompt and effective, restoring order quickly at these sites.
Political actors employed various methods to facilitate voting. Candidates deployed autorickshaws to ferry voters to the booths free of cost. The administration also arranged complimentary rickshaw services specifically for differently-abled voters.
Accessibility Measures and Administrative Oversight
While the administration made wheelchairs available at all polling booths, a notable infrastructure gap remained. The absence of ramps at many locations posed genuine difficulties for senior citizens and persons with disabilities attempting to access the voting facilities.
KMC Additional Commissioner Ravikant Adsul detailed the monitoring measures in place. Webcasting was conducted at every single polling station. Live feeds from these webcasts were provided directly to the seven returning officers and the superintendent of police's office. This system allowed for close, real-time monitoring of the entire process.
A few technical and administrative issues were reported, such as missing names on voter lists and occasional EVM glitches. Officials stated these problems were identified and resolved swiftly to minimise disruption.
Political Confidence and Post-Poll Claims
Once voting concluded, major political alliances wasted no time in expressing confidence. Both the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliances stated they were poised to come to power in the civic body.
With 81 seats up for grabs, a simple majority requires securing 41 seats. Shiv Sena MLA and state planning commission chief Rajesh Kshirsagar made a bold prediction. "Mahayuti will come to power in Kolhapur Municipal Corporation. We expect to win more than 65 seats as voters have chosen development," he asserted.
Congress MLC and leader of opposition in the Legislative Council, Satej Patil, presented a counter-narrative. "I am confident the people of Kolhapur will not allow this oppression to continue. Congress will win a clear majority," Patil stated.
The Road to Results and Official Fatigue
The results of these closely watched elections are scheduled for announcement on Friday. This tight timeline presents a significant logistical challenge. Experts pointed out that with voting on Thursday and counting on Friday, election officials are left with minimal breathing space.
An expert familiar with the process highlighted the strain on the officials. "They've been on their toes since Wednesday, working non-stop to ensure the electoral process goes smoothly. This tight schedule can be really taxing for the officials, given the huge responsibility on their shoulders," the expert added, underscoring the human effort behind the democratic exercise.
The day encapsulated the vibrant, sometimes chaotic, essence of local democracy—marked by extended queues, political fervour in old neighbourhoods, quieter upscale booths, and the unwavering efforts of administrators under pressure to deliver a fair poll.
