Kanpur Bar Association Elections Witness Robust 78.6% Voter Participation
The annual elections of the Kanpur Bar Association concluded peacefully on Tuesday, with a significant majority of advocate members exercising their democratic right. A total of 5,658 out of 7,198 eligible advocate members cast their votes, resulting in an impressive voter turnout of 78.60%. The polling process was conducted under stringent security measures and administrative supervision at the premises of DAV Degree College.
Election Process and Security Arrangements
Polling commenced at approximately 9 am, which was one hour later than the originally scheduled 8 am start time. The voting continued uninterrupted until 5 pm, with the entire process being closely monitored by the Elders Committee, designated election observers, and officials from the district administration. Uma Shankar Gupta, chairman of the Elders Committee overseeing the elections, highlighted that the high voter turnout reflected active and enthusiastic participation from the advocate community.
The electoral fate of 95 contestants was sealed in ballot boxes following the conclusion of polling. These boxes were then securely transported and placed in a strong room under continuous security surveillance. Sushil Verma, an advocate serving as an election observer, confirmed that the ballot boxes would be opened around 10 am on Wednesday, with the formal counting process set to begin at approximately 1 pm at Mahana Hall.
Voter Turnout Patterns and Senior Advocate Participation
While voter turnout was relatively slow during the morning hours, it gained considerable momentum after noon and peaked significantly after 1 pm. Unlike previous election cycles, the crowd remained moderate towards the end of the polling period, ensuring a smooth and orderly process.
Senior advocates demonstrated notable engagement, with 319 out of 462 senior members casting their votes at Booth No. 1. This represented a turnout rate of nearly 69% among senior members. The highest polling percentage was recorded at Booth No. 16, where 105 out of 125 voters exercised their franchise, achieving an outstanding turnout of approximately 84%.
Campaign Activities and On-Ground Dynamics
Throughout the election day, candidates and their supporters campaigned vigorously, setting up tents that extended from the court premises to the cooperative bank area. Slogans were raised, and direct appeals were made to advocates to secure their votes. However, some inconvenience was reported due to congestion at the entry point, where officials conducted checks to ensure mobile phones were deposited before voters proceeded to cast their ballots.
In a bid to garner support, several contestants distributed small items such as pens and stationery. Additionally, candidates arranged lunch for their supporters and voters at various stalls within the court premises, adding a communal aspect to the election day activities.
Conclusion of Polling and Next Steps
At 5 pm sharp, the Elders Committee officially closed the entry gates, although voters already inside the booths were permitted to complete their voting. After polling concluded, all candidates were summoned to witness the sealing of the ballot boxes. Following thorough verification and cross-checking of records, the candidates signed the seals to ensure transparency and integrity.
The sealed ballot boxes were then transported under tight security to Mahana Hall, where the counting will take place. Results for the key positions of president and general secretary are anticipated to be announced by around 7 pm on the first day of counting. The counting for the remaining posts will be conducted on the following day, marking the culmination of this democratic exercise within the Kanpur legal fraternity.
