78.6% turnout in Knp Bar Association polls

Kanpur: As many as 5,658 out of 7,198 advocate members exercised their franchise peacefully in the annual elections of the Kanpur Bar Association on Tuesday. The polling was held amid tight security and administrative supervision on the premises of DAV Degree College.Uma Shankar Gupta, chairman of the Elders Committee conducting the elections, said the voter turnout stood at an encouraging 78.60%, indicating active participation by the advocate fraternity. With the conclusion of polling, the electoral fate of 95 contestants was sealed in ballot boxes, which were subsequently placed in a strong room under security. The counting of votes will begin on Wednesday at Mahana Hall. Election observer Sushil Verma, advocate, said the ballot boxes would be opened around 10 am, while the counting process would start at about 1 pm. Results for the key posts of president and general secretary are expected by around 7 pm on the first day, with counting for the remaining posts to be taken up the following day.
Polling commenced at around 9 am, an hour later than the scheduled 8 am, and continued until 5 pm. The process was supervised by the Elders Committee, election observers and the district administration. While voter turnout remained slow in the morning hours, it picked up pace after noon and peaked after 1 pm. Unlike previous years, the crowd remained moderate towards the end of polling.Senior advocates also participated actively, with 319 out of 462 senior members casting their votes at Booth No. 1, recording a turnout of nearly 69%. The highest polling percentage was reported at Booth No. 16, where 105 of 125 voters exercised their franchise, marking about 84% turnout.Throughout the day, candidates and their supporters campaigned actively, setting up tents from the court premises to the cooperative bank area. Slogans were raised and appeals made to advocates for votes. However, congestion at the entry point caused some inconvenience as officials checked entrants for mobile phones and ensured they were deposited before voting.Some contestants were also seen distributing small items such as pens and stationery while seeking support. Candidates arranged lunch for supporters and voters at various stalls within the court premises.At 5 pm, the Elders Committee closed the entry gates but allowed voters already inside the booths to cast their votes. After polling concluded, all candidates were called, ballot boxes were sealed after verification and cross-checking of records, and the candidates signed the seals. The boxes were then transported under security to Mahana Hall for counting.