The counting of votes for five municipal corporations in Haryana is currently underway amid tight security arrangements.  As per early trends, BJP has established a good lead in Karnal and Panipat, and is leading by a close margin in Rohtak and Hisar.

The voting was held alongside municipal committees of Jakhal Mandi in Fatehabad and Pundri in Kaithal, results of which will also be announced on Wednesday.

The voting to the municipal corporations of Karnal, Panipat, Yamunanagar, Rohtak and Hisar and municipal committees of Jakhal Mandi in Fatehabad and Pundri in Kaithal was held on December 16. A voter turnout of 69.30 per cent was recorded in the municipal elections in Haryana. Polling was held in 110 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Hisar, Rohtak, Yamuna Nagar, Panipat and Karnal, and 25 wards of Jakhal Mandi (Fatehabad) Aand Pundri (Kaithal) respectively.'

This is the first time that elections are being held for the posts of mayors. 59 candidates which include 40 men and 19 women, contested the election for the seats of Mayor. This was also the first time in the electoral history of municipal elections in the country that none of the above (NOTA) option was introduced in the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The overall percentage in these elections remained 69.39, Singh said.  For the first time in the electoral history of municipal elections in the country that none of the above (NOTA) option was introduced in the electronic voting machines (EVMs).