27th December 2021
Today counting of votes for General election to MCC-2021 started at 9:00 AM in the nine Counting Centres. Hon’ble State Election Commissioner ordered appointment of Counting Observers at each Counting Centre to ensure transparent counting and to manage instant decision for any query raised by any of the Contesting Candidate. Throughout the election processes i.e., from date of nomination till counting day, NIGAM CHUNAV CHANDIGARH APP launched by Commission provided complete data to public. In the voter list there were 633475 Chandigarihn of eligible age to vote. Out of them 385830 persons casted vote in 35 wards of U.T., Chandigarh. In 2016 MCC Elections, voting %age was 59. 54 % and in this election voting %age is 60.73%. The State Election Commissioner conveyed thanks to people for coming out to cast their vote and fructify the tagline of election commission, “every voter matters in democracy”.
The Election Commission also invited State Election Commissioners from Goa, Kerala, Telengana, Puducherry and Haryana as Special Observers to monitor the elections and give their suggestions for further improvement in election processes. Their vision as experts in the field was valuably used and accordingly the Commission introduced crowd management feature in APP. There were 203 Contesting Candidates, whereas there were 186 candidates in 2016 elections. To watch the implementation of code of conduct, and to ensure candidates incur expenditure upto limit of Rs.5 lakh, Commission has appointed 4 General Observers, 5 Expenditure Observers, 3 Enforcement Teams and Committees under D.C., U.T., Chandigarh for certification of media contents of all Contesting Candidates and Political Parties. Further Commission also appointed 3 IRS Officers as Special Expenditure Observers, to minutely scrutinize expenditure of all Contesting Candidates.
Chandigarh Administration proactively contributed in the election processes and The Adviser to The Administrator, U.T., Chandigarh directed the officers to ensure that the requirements of Commission are met within the time limits given by Commission.
The Election Commissioner appreciated efforts of all officers/officials for working beyond duty hours and sincere efforts put up for ensuring free fair and transparent elections. The Commissioner added that successful Completion of election is a mammoth effort and is a sanctum duty in democracy and the staff worked devotedly to accomplish that.
