Nagpur witnessed a voter turnout of 51 percent in its municipal corporation elections held on Thursday. A civic official confirmed the figure at 5:30 PM, marking the close of polling.
Key Figures Exercise Their Franchise
Among the notable voters who participated in the democratic process were Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Their presence highlighted the significance of these local body elections.
Voter Demographics and Eligibility
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation reported that a total of 2,483,112 individuals were eligible to cast their votes. This included 1,226,690 male voters and 1,256,166 female voters, showcasing a nearly balanced gender representation in the electorate.
Seat Distribution and Political Contests
The civic body comprises 151 seats across 38 wards. In this election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting on 143 seats, while its ally Shiv Sena is fighting for eight seats. The Congress party is independently contesting all 151 seats, setting the stage for a direct confrontation.
Historical Context from 2017 Polls
Looking back at the 2017 Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections provides important context. In that poll, the BJP secured a dominant victory by winning 108 out of the 151 seats. The Congress managed to capture 28 seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won 10 seats. The then-undivided Shiv Sena secured two seats, and the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won one seat.
This year's election results will determine whether the BJP can maintain its stronghold or if opposition parties can make significant inroads. The 51 percent turnout indicates moderate public engagement in the civic polls, which will shape Nagpur's local governance for the coming term.
