66.8% polling in Sonepat

In all 66.8 per cent voters exercised their right to franchise on Saturday to elect their nominees in the six Assembly segments —Sonepat, Rai, Ganaur, Kharkhoda, Gohana and Baroda constituencies — of the district. As many as 1,291 polling booths were set up in the district. The fate of 72 candidates of various political parties and independents is locked in the EVMs.

With 72.18 per cent polling, the Ganaur Assembly segment recorded the highest voter turnout while the Sonepat Assembly segment recorded the lowest voter turnout with 57.67 per cent people turning up to cast their votes.

The male voter turnout was recorded at 67.40 per cent while 64.59 per cent females voted during the elections.

The polling started at 7 am in the morning, but was delayed at some places due to technical snag in the EVMs in all constituencies of the district. The administration had to change EVMs at some places to continue polling. The polling passed was held peacefully and no untoward incident was reported in the district.

As per record, Sonepat witnessed 57.7 per cent voter turnout, Rai 69.94 per cent, Kharkhoda 63.85 per cent, Gohand 66.52 per cent, Ganaur 72.8 per cent and 68.57 per cent people voted in Baroda Assembly constituency.

As per available data, elderly were enthusiastic to vote in all the constituencies of Sonepat district on Saturday. A 116-year-old-woman, Bhagwani Devi, a resident of Jagsi village in Baroda constituency cast her vote.

Similarly, 115-year-old Bharpai of Sainipura village in Gohana constituency and 95-year-old Khazan Singh in Sonepat Assembly constituency along with their family members exercise their right to franchise.

District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar along with Commissioner of Police Satyender Gupta visited polling booths to review arrangements for elections.

“Snag developed in some EVMs during polling. Some EVMs were changed. The snag was rectified on time at some places and polling continued at all booths,” said Manoj Kumar, District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner.

Enthusiasm among young voters was observed. A 104-year-old voter reached the polling booth to cast vote which showed people’s trust in democracy, the DC maintained. The polling was held peacefully and no untoward incident regarding law and order was reported in the district, the DC said.