Around 53% voter turnout reported in Thane

Thane: Around 53 percent voter turnout was registered in the elections to Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Tuesday, in which 805 candidates were in the fray for 131 seats.

Barring a few incidents, the polling process went on in a peaceful manner, police said adding that a Shiv Sena leader was booked for trying to distribute money among voters on behalf of his party candidate from Ambika Nagar.

"Around 53 percent voter turnout was registered till 5.30 pm in TMC polls. However, the final figures would be confirmed later," poll officials said.

In Ghodbunder, Kalwa, Kausa, Wagle Estate, Rabodi and other localities of Thane, people came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Kausa was the center of attraction in this election as at least ten per cent of the corporators are to be elected from there.

"At some polling booths, the EVMs developed snags and had to be replaced," the officials said.

Police said, former city corporator of Shiv Sena, Shaji Javir (48), was booked for attempting to distribute money among voters on behalf of his party candidate from Ambika Nagar.

"Javir (48) was caught about 10.30 am for trying to distribute money and has been booked under relevant IPC sections," Thane police spokesperson Sukhada Narkar said.

No arrest has been made so far in this connection.