Firing, bogus voting mark civic polls

In all, a 75 per cent turnout was recorded, with certain urban wards comprising old parts of the township witnessing even 80 per cent of the electorate exercise their franchise. Of the total 29,873 voters, around 22,400 turned up to elect 15 councillors. The figure is, however, less than the 2003 polls when 81 per cent turnout was recorded.

The firing incident took place around 7.30 am near the election office of Jai Bhagwan Singla, the ruling SAD-BJP nominee from Ward 15, on Swami Ram Tirtha Marg near Nagar Khera. A few unidentified persons reportedly fired at least five shots in the air. Though no loss of life and property was reported, Singla, vice-president of the outgoing Kharar MC, alleged a bid on his life.

Singla said he had just reached the office when a group of people, allegedly led by the supporters of his rival Congress candidate, attacked him without any provocation and severely assaulted him. 8220;As I raised an alarm, my supporters rescued me,8221; he claimed.

The police had to use force to disperse the mob.

Kharar SHO Dalbeer Singh said a case of attempt to murder, rioting and firing was registered against five people. Singla8217;s rivals, however, blamed the ruling alliance for the firing.

With the reports of bogus voting, rigging and minor violence going mostly unnoticed, the affected candidates in a number of wards were seen crying foul.

Supporters of different parties gave a tough time to the police in wards 15, 14, 12, 11, 9, 8, 7, 4 and 3, where tension prevailed throughout the day. The police had to intervene several times to avoid a clash between the rival groups. Additional force had to be called in at wards 15, 14, 8 and 4 to bring the situation under control.

Polling of 20, 50 and 60 per cent was recorded till 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm, respectively. According to sources, several people were arrested on charges of impersonation and were let off after the polling was over. Most of the bogus voters were either young boys or migrant labourer, they said.

The Kharar police, however, confirmed only one case of bogus voting, registered against one Ram Achal who was caught in booth number 19.

Deputy Commissioner Rahul Bhandari, SSP Jatinder Singh Aulakh, SDM Rajeev Kumar Gupta and DSP Rajbalwinder Singh Mrar were on their toes throughout the day. They claimed that the polling was by and large peaceful, with no major violence reported from any part. Election Observer Som Parkash, too, supervised the exercise.

The polling process was disrupted for some time in Ward 4 due to an error in the electronic voting machine, used first time in the Kharar MC polls.

SAD-BJP combine sweeps polls, PAGE 4