Over 60% turnout in ZP & PS bypolls

Nagpur: Belying the low turnout expectations in the zilla parishad (ZP) and panchayat samiti (PS) bypolls, held on Tuesday to fill 16 ZP and 31 PS seats in the district, a large number of voters exercised their franchise.
Though the exact turnout figures were being calculated till late evening, officials from the collectorate said over 60% polling took place for all these seats. Counting of votes will be held on Wednesday from 10am and the results are expected by afternoon.
The bypolls were necessitated after the Supreme Court quashed OBC reservation, introduced by erstwhile BJP-Sena government, leading to 84 ZP and 144 PS seats falling vacant in six districts — Nagpur, Dhule, Nandurbar, Akola, Washim and Palghar.
According to preliminary reports, the overall voting percentage in the state was 63%.
The bypolls are considered to be a litmus test for the Congress-NCP coalition, which had secured majority in the earlier elections. BJP has been banking on the cancellation of OBC reservation issue and blamed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government for failing to properly present the case before the apex court.
Barring a few incidents, the polling was by and large peaceful. While the voter turnout was low in the morning, it picked up in the afternoon hours with queues seen at many polling booths.
As per the collectorate’s estimates, about 50.51% voting was registered till 3.30pm. There were reports about three booths missing at ZP Primary School at Isasani, but later the matter was sorted out. Reports about malfunctioning of EVMs were also received from a few voting centres.
Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) has demanded re-polling at Isasani centre.
In Hingna, voters alleged that names of 6,000 of them were missing, but it was not confirmed by the officials from the collectorate. Similar complaints were received from a few centres in Narkhed, Katol and Kamptee.
There was some tension at Bhim Nagar centre where candidates alleged malpractices and demanded re-polling. The administration called additional force to control the situation.
Some Keenly Watched Fights
* Gumthala – Anil Nidhan (supported by BJP), Dinesh Dhole (Congress) and Ravindra Nikale (Shiv Sena)
* Vadoda – Avantika Lekurwale (Congress), Anita Chikate (BJP), Sonam Karadbhajne (Cong rebel)
* Sawargaon – Devka Bodkhe (NCP), Parwati Kalbande (BJP), Anjali Shinde (NCP rebel)
* Kelwad – Sumitra Kumbhare (Congress), Sangita Mulmule (BJP)
* Bothiya Palora – Kailash Raut (Congress), Laxman Kene (BJP), Devanand Wanjari (Shiv Sena)
# Dist Polls At A Glance
* Total seats:
Zilla Parishad– 16
Panchayat Samiti -- 31
* Voters:
Total – 6,16,016
Male – 3,19,292
Female – 2,96,721
* Polling centres:
Total – 1,115
Near city – 252
Rural -- 863