4.8L voters to decide fate of 695 in Mohali civic polls today

Mohali: Around 4.8 lakh voters will decide the fate of 695 candidates in the municipal elections across Mohali district Tuesday, with polling scheduled from 8am to 5pm at 498 booths amid tight security and CCTV surveillance.The administration has set up eight strong rooms — two in Mohali city and one each in Banur, Derabassi, Zirakpur, Kharar, Lalru and Kurali—where ballot boxes will be secured. Counting will be held on May 29.District election officer-cum-deputy commissioner Komal Mittal said polling parties have been dispatched to all booths. The district electorate comprises 2,48,415 male voters, 2,32,340 female voters and 26 in the ‘others’ category.Breaking it down, MC Mohali has 227 candidates in fray from 50 wards, with over 1.75 lakh voters set to vote at 184 booths. In Zirakpur municipal council, 124 candidates are contesting from 31 wards, with polling at 128 booths. Derabassi MC has 79 candidates contesting 18 wards (one elected unopposed), with voting at 51 booths.In Nayagaon, 87 candidates are in the fray from 21 wards with 51 polling booths, while Lalru has 61 candidates contesting 16 wards (one unopposed) across 33 booths. Kurali has 77 candidates contesting 17 wards, and Banur 40 candidates across 13 wards, with polling at 33 and 18 booths, respectively.Mittal reviewed dispatch arrangements at the School of Eminence, Phase 3B1, and said CCTV monitoring has been ensured at all polling booths. Of the total, 66 booths have been marked sensitive and 181 hypersensitive, with additional security deployed.She urged voters, especially senior citizens, to turn up early to avoid heat, adding that shade and drinking water facilities have been arranged at all polling stations.The DC said all measures have been taken to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling, and appealed to candidates to adhere strictly to Election Commission guidelines for smooth conduct of elections.