68% turnout in Haryana civic polls

“Though the initial polling percentage was recorded at 68.07 per cent,but the final figure is likely to cross 69 per cent,” Haryana State Election Commissioner Dharam Vir said.

Meanwhile,a few people were arrested in various districts,including Karnal and Rohtak,for carrying illegal arms and ammunition and violating the model code of conduct. In Karnal,637 vehicles were challaned and 28 impounded for traffic violations. Around 35 people were also arrested under preventive detention clause and 37 for breach of peace and creating nuisance. As many as 3,572 bottles of liquor were seized in Karnal,which were being transported in violation of the district magistrate’s orders.

In Rohtak,at least 17 people were arrested for roaming around under suspicious circumstances near polling booths in the Urban Estate area. Four vehicles belonging to them were impounded and the police found two mousers and 10 rounds of ammunition. Moreover,another two were arrested for carrying illegal arms and ammunition in the district.

In three villages of Panipat — Nizampur,Shimla and Mullana — no voter participated in the election process,as they wanted their villages to be excluded from the ambit of municipal corporation and brought under the panchayats.

“The deputy commissioner and senior police officers visited the three villages and urged the people to vote but they did not agree. A decision whether to keep these villages under the municipal corporation is to be taken by the government,” Vir said.

Meanwhile in Panchkula,nine persons were detained as police apprehended that they could cause breach of peace. “No incident of bogus voting has been reporting from any municipal corporation and municipality,” Vir added.

While the counting of votes for election to the two municipal committees will be held on Monday,counting for the corporations will take place on June 4.