Around 51 per cent polling in Chandigarh Municipal polls

Around 51 per cent voters today exercised their franchise for 26 wards of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation the polling to which passed off peacefully.
"Around 51 per cent voters have exercised their franchise. The polling was peaceful," Tarseem Lal, an election office spokesman said here after conclusion of polls quoting initial estimates of polling percentage.
The total number of voters is 5,07,627, including 2,37,374 female voters.
800 EVMs were used at 445 polling booths and over 4000 cops were deployed for smooth conduct of polling process.
122 candidates, including 67 Independents, are in the fray for the civic polls.
The results will be declared on December 20.

Both Congress and BJP are contesting from all 26 wards, while BSP also has put up candidates in 17 wards.

The Municipal Corporation has 36 members, of which 26 are elected, nine are nominated councillors and one is an MP (ex-officio member of the House).
At present, BJP has 15 councillors, Congress has nine, BSP has one, and one is Independent.
While the BJP is trying to cash in on demonetisation, Congress has made "great hardships" to people a major issue with its city unit leaders saying the move was implemented without any "application of mind."
Post demonetisation, the election to 26 wards of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is a litmus test for both BJP and Congress.

In 2011, the polling percentage to the MC was 59.37.