By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Poor turnout in the 10 Municipal elections in Maharashtra is clearly visible throughout the day on Thursday. Maharashtra reported 43% voting whereas Mumbai having the richest corporation recorded nearly 45% polling.
Nearly 1 crore voters will use their franchise in Mumbai with 18 lacs first time voters.
Abu Asim Azmi, President of Samajwadi Party told the reporters, “In the posh area like Colaba, Bandra people don’t come to vote because they have everything. Poor people who are in majority struggle daily with dirty water, poor sanitation and health vote.”
BMC head office
There are complaints of not having the name in the voter list as usual. Besides known Musician, Gulzar who could not find his name in the voting list, Sarfaraz Sambhali also found his name missing. He said while talking to twocircles.net, “I could not vote because my name was missing from the voter list. I don’t know how my name disappeared because it was there in the previous list.”
Voters Apathy was clearly visible. Despite government offices, schools, colleges announced holidays.
Despite spending crores of rupees politicians could not impressed upon voters. According to a leading newspaper, political parties and candidates have spent around Rs 5,000 crore all over Maharashtra, of which Rs 3,000 crore was only in Mumbai.
Big cities reported lower percentage of voter than rural areas. Local News channels in Mumbai clamoring since the morning and urging Mumbaikers to vote.
Shaina Nana Chudasama with her NGO ran a campaign to incite the youth said, “It’s because people lose faith in the politicians.”
Milind Deora, Congress MP from South Mumbai also expressed disappointment over low turnout. He compared Mumbai Election with Uttar Pradesh. He said, “Despite rain Uttar Pradesh voted over 60% but in Mumbai its 40% in Assembly election, MP election.” He added, “I don’t know exactly, what’s the reason behind this lack of enthusiasm and awareness but it should definitely.”
Ayyub Ansari (Piyan), candidate of Samajwadi Party from ward number 206 agreed with Shaina NC and said, “Yes politicians could not deliver and that is why the good people should enter the politics.”
Sachin Ahir, Minister of Housing in Maharashtra blamed the Private sector who did not declare holiday today.
Ayyub Piyan candidate of Samajwadi Party
India’s richest municipal corporation, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has 2,232 candidates contesting for 227 seats today.
The results of all the 10 Municipal election in Maharashtra will be declared on Friday, 17th February, 2012 from the 9.00 am in Mumbai, Amravati, Nagpur, Solapur whereas in Pune it will begin at 7.30am ,Akola, Pimpri Chinchwad 8.00 am, .
Roughly the polling percentage in Mumbai is 45%, Thane- 57 %, Pune- 48%, Pimpri- Chinchwad- 52 %, Nasik- 60 %, Nagpur- 50%, Ulhas nagar – 40 %, Amravati- 65 %, Akola- 55 % Sholapur- 60%.
Mumbai Police Commissioner announced restriction on Firecrackers with high sound which is a routine not only in Mumbai but all over India.