Voting In Shimla Municipal Corporation Election Begins, Congress Looks To Wrest Control From BJP

According to State Election Commission data, 93,920 people have registered to vote in the elections.

The results of the Shimla Municipal Corporations elections will be announced on Thursday. (File Photo)

A little more than 90,000 voters will decide the destiny of 102 candidates from 34 wards in the Shimla Municipal Corporations elections, which are set to take place on Tuesday. The results of the elections will be announced on Thursday. According to State Election Commission data, 93,920 people have registered to vote in the elections. At 153 polling stations, there were 49,759 male and 44,161 female voters. Vikas Nagar ward has the most voters (4,161), while Malyana has the fewest (1,166), PTI reported.

During the election campaign, the competing parties made lofty promises to the electorate. During roadshows, street corner meetings, and door-to-door campaigns, the parties made a slew of promises ranging from highways to skywalks and parks to parking spots.

The Congress has committed to implement measures for the regularisation of multi-story structures, a unified tax regime for both old and merged regions, a ropeway system, and the right to build residences for non-agriculturists who settled in Shimla before 1971.

The BJP, on the other side, has pledged 40,000 litres of free water per month to every family and a 'One Nigam, One Tax' programme that will combine levies for dwellings, waste, and sewage into one for the convenience of inhabitants. It has also guaranteed a 50% discount on waste expenses.

The top electoral problems, according to voters, are 24x7 water supply, new parking facilities, road expansion, and drug control. All of the main parties have vowed to make Shimla green and drug-free, as well as to alleviate traffic congestion by building parking spaces.

While the BJP claims credit for Shimla Smart City development projects such as the construction of skywalks and tunnels, the Congress asserts corruption in their implementation.

The Congress, which swept to power in Himachal Pradesh in December, will seek to strengthen its political position by taking control of the civic body in the state capital. The BJP, which dominated the outgoing municipal corporation board, sees the elections as a battle for reputation.

Half of the 34 wards in the civic council are designated for women. Six wards are set aside for Scheduled Castes, three of which are for women. The remaining 14 wards are open to anyone.

Women candidates have been nominated by the BJP and the Congress in 23 and 18 seats, respectively.

(With Inputs From PTI)