Gurugram: Preparations for the upcoming municipal elections in Gurugram are in full swing. The district administration has finalized the final voter list, paving the way for polling in the region.
According to the updated list, a total of 8,97,420 voters are eligible to cast their votes in the Gurugram Municipal Corporation elections this year. Meanwhile, in the Manesar Municipal Corporation, which will witness its first-ever elections, 96,987 voters will exercise their franchise.
Similarly, in the Pataudi-Hailimandi Municipal Council’s 22 wards, there are 43,029 voters spread across 45 booths, and the Farrukhnagar Municipal Committee’s 16 wards have 14,644 registered voters across 16 polling stations.
The state government has already announced the reservation for mayors, presidents, and wards in all urban local bodies. With the release of the final voter list on Monday, it is expected that the Haryana State Election Commission will announce the municipal election dates within this week.
The state plans to conduct the municipal elections in two phases, for which voter list finalization was carried out at a brisk pace.
905 Polling Booths for 36 Wards in Gurugram
District Election Officer Ajay Kumar confirmed that following delimitation, Gurugram Municipal Corporation now comprises 36 wards, for which 905 polling booths will be set up. The Manesar Municipal Corporation, which includes 20 wards, will have voting conducted across 96 polling booths.
Municipal Terms Already Expired
Of Haryana’s 11 municipal corporations, the terms of several have already expired. The tenure of the Faridabad Municipal Corporation ended in February 2022, while Gurugram’s term expired in November 2022.
The terms of Karnal, Panipat, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, and Hisar municipal corporations concluded in January last year. For the newly formed Manesar Municipal Corporation, elections will be held for the first time, with preparations now complete.
Claims and Objections Process Concluded
The preliminary voter list draft was released on December 17, and the administration invited residents to update details such as names, addresses, and photos or apply for voter registration or removal by December 23. All claims and objections were resolved by December 27, and the final voter list was completed by January 3.
First-Time Direct Mayoral Election in Gurugram
For the first time, 8,97,420 voters in Gurugram will directly elect their mayor. With the expansion of the municipal corporation area, a majority of voters from the Gurugram and Badshahpur constituencies are now part of the corporation.
Previously, mayors were elected by municipal councilors, with Gurugram electing two mayors under this system. This year marks the third mayoral election, but for the first time, the choice will rest directly in the hands of the public.
Transparent and Accessible Voter List
Speaking about the final voter list, District Election Officer Ajay Kumar said:
“As per the schedule, the final voter lists for Gurugram Municipal Corporation, Manesar Municipal Corporation, Pataudi-Hailimandi Municipal Council, and Farrukhnagar Municipal Committee were published on January 6. These lists are now available online on gurugram.gov.in, ward-wise. The process of preparing the voter list adhered to strict impartiality and transparency. Citizens can access the list on their computer or mobile screens via the website.”
The release of the final voter list is a significant step toward ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process in Gurugram. All eyes are now on the State Election Commission for the official announcement of the municipal election schedule.
