(Representative image)

AGRA: Even after the massive campaign , hectic planning and draining the exchequer to conduct free and fair polls, over 88 lakh legitimate voters of Uttar Pradesh were found relaxing at their homes in three phase municipal corporation polls for mayoral post.

This huge setback for state election commission came just week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated advocacy of simultaneous polls, as conducting polls every 4-6 months in different states was costly affair.

According to UP state election commission (SEC) data, 88,84,352 voters were absent from casting their votes in 16 cities where polls for mayoral post were conducted. Total 1.55 crore (1,55,17,332) voters were registered for 2017 polls, out of which only 66,32,980 cast their votes, to elect mayors in respective municipal corporations.

A conservative estimate for conducting the civic polls was around Rs 1000 crore, as 32,374 EVMs were roped in out of which around 12,000 were brought from Madhya Pradesh, while around 72,000 ballot unit were used to conduct polls.

Apart from that 1,82,000 government employees were roped in for polling including 40 companies (each company with 80-100 men) of central paramilitary force, 91 Provincial Armed Constabulary of UP, 9,815 polling officers including zonal magistrate, sector magistrate, returning officer. For polls at 11,995 wards, 11,394 polling centers were made in which 9200 tables were used.

Over 50 drones were also used to monitor the sensitive polling stations.

Speaking to TOI, additional election commissioner of UP, Ved Prakash Verma said, "The total expenditure incurred in civic poll is yet to be calculated, but SEC invested huge resources both financial and human to ensure maximum participation of voters in the polls, but still we managed to cross over 50 per cent total polling."

He said, "As a society, it takes time to change our mindsets and political sentiments. This was a local body election who has limited scope, as no government is formed. Whereas during Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls, the polling percentage increase, as people vote for a government."

On anonymity, a senior official of SEC said, "I took time from busy schedule to vote in civic body polls, but my wife preferred to rest at home. It all depends on individual willingness and mindsets. No matter how much resources we deploy for elections, at the end it will succeed only by the participation of voters."

On November 26, during an event, PM Modi said, "Rs 1,100 crore was spent in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and the figure went up to Rs 4,000 crore in 2014. Conducting the election after every 4-6 months in different states is very hectic and costly. There needs to be a wider debate on conducting the election at one time throughout the country."

