bhagwat-casts-vote-in-nagpur-municipal-corporation-polls

The chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, cast his vote in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) polls on Thursday as polling began for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra at 7.30 a.m.

One of the earliest voters in the Nagpur civic body polls, Bhagwat went to a polling booth in the Mahal area of the city to exercise his franchise, where he advised citizens to vote for a suitable candidate instead of opting for the ‘None of the Above’ option.

“NOTA means you reject everyone, and by doing so, we promote a person who is not wanted,” he said, adding that NOTA is an option given to people to express their displeasure, but it is better to vote for someone than not have anyone.

Bhagwat said elections are a mandatory part of democracy and hence, voting is the responsibility of all citizens.

In the last NMC elections, BJP won 108 out of the total 151 seats, Congress 28, BSP 10 Shiv Sena (then undivided) 2 and NCP (undivided) 1. 

 

Also Read: Maharashtra civic polls: Voting on for 29 municipal corporations

Long queues were seen at various polling booths, as the voting commenced at 7.30 am for the 227-ward Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) amid heavy security that includes the deployment of more than 28,000 police personnel across Mumbai to maintain law and order.

More than 25,000 constables, 3,000 officers, including 10 additional commissioners, 33 deputy commissioners and 84 assistant commissioners of police were posted at various polling centres and important places in the city, said an official.

“I appeal to every Mumbaikar to step out of their homes and exercise their democratic right by voting in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections,” Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti said on his X handle on Wednesday night.

The police have issued preventive orders, prohibiting the use of mobile phones at polling centres and banning posters, banners, and other election campaign materials of political parties. Anyone who is not a candidate is not allowed to loiter or form an assembly within 100 meters of polling stations, the official said.

Strict action will be taken against those violating the election code of conduct, he added.