Chopal Panchayat Polls See heavy polls, BDC polls in Dewat panchayat steal the show .
CHOPAL/DEWAT/SHANTHA, May 30: Chopal subdivision witnessed an enthusiastic voter turnout in the Panchayat elections on Saturday, with polling crossing the 80 per cent mark and expected to rise further as votes cast by people standing in queues before the close of polling are added to the final tally.
According to provisional figures available after polling, 14,214 voters out of 17,710 electors had exercised their franchise, translating into a turnout of 80.26 per cent.
However, the final polling percentage is yet to be compiled and released, and is expected to be higher. BDO-cum-Returning Officer Chopal Vaneet Thakur said the final turnout figures would be released after consolidation of reports received from all polling stations.
One of the most closely watched Panchayats was Dewat, where voter participation remained exceptionally high.
Out of 1,563 registered voters, more than 1,327 votes had already been cast, taking the turnout close to 85 per cent, while polling was still underway in Kummda ward when the latest figures were received.
Ward-wise figures from Dewat Panchayat revealed strong participation across the board. Batewadi ward recorded 332 votes, Shantha-Kharu ward 436 votes, and Dewat ward 169 votes.
In Kummda ward, 388 votes had been cast out of 435 registered voters, resulting in a turnout exceeding 89. 19 per cent.
Since polling was still continuing there, the final figure is expected to increase further.
Across the Development Block, several Panchayats recorded impressive turnout percentages. Khagna-Newal led with 90.59 per cent polling, followed by Thana Jalauna (87.81%), Gorli-Marog (86.81%), Pausarah (85.14%), Bhaulala-Chalrana-Mauslan-Ghala cluster (84.89%), Pujarli (84.45%), and Bagan (84.41%).
At the ward level, some of the highest turnouts were recorded in Kutah (95.15%), Rohana (94.56%), Khagna (92.26%), Kelvi-Louhana (92.26%), Koti (91.23%), and Pausarah-1 (91.11%), reflecting strong public participation in grassroots democracy.
The elections witnessed keen contests for the posts of Panch, Pradhan, Up-Pradhan and BDC members across the subdivision. Dewat, Jhiknipul and Mashroan Panchayats, in particular, saw intense electoral battles involving 10 candidates and traditional village alliances.
Polling remained peaceful throughout the subdivision, with long queues witnessed outside several polling stations till the final hours of voting. With polling now over, all eyes are on the counting process and the final turnout figures, which are expected to be announced shortly by the election authorities.
Counting of votes for ward members will commence after the close of polling and will be followed by the counting for the posts of Pradhan and Up-Pradhan.
