The high turnout in the two phases of the panchayat election is indicative of increased awareness among the rural population, said the State Election Commissioner, Subardhan, while talking to the media here on Sunday. The State Election Commissioner (SEC) was effusive in his praise for the rural electorate which according to him participated enthusiastically and ensured by and large peaceful elections. He also lauded the role of administration for thereto smooth conduct of the polls.
Sudhardhan said that 68.48 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the first stage on June 18 while 70 per cent people voted in the second stage of polls on June 21. In the first stage Jaspur block of US Nagar district topped the list of voter turn out by recording 83.60 per cent voting. In the second stage Purola block of Uttarkashi recorded 87 per cent voter turn out.
The SEC said that 1,145 polling stations and 1,936 polling booths were declared hypersensitive while 2,099 polling stations and 2,793 polling booths were declared sensitive.
Referring to the litigations regarding the panchayat polls, the SEC said the High Court has asked to keep ballots of 13 petitioners in a separate envelope in the Kishori lal vs. Uttarakhand state. These petitioners have asked for adding their names in the electoral rolls after the nominations were filed. He said that in the village Talla Uppu of Block Tholdhar in Tehri Garhwal district the district election officer and observer has recommended re-polling in ward 1, 2 and 4.
Subardhan said that the commission has appointed 18 observers for the first stage of elections, 17 for second stage and 23 for the third stage of elections. The commission has also appointed 55 observers for the counting of votes on June 27. He said that the counting would take place in 89 block headquarters and the results would be displayed on the internet.