Mohali, May 27 -- As temperatures simmered at 41.6degC, Mohali city saw a dip in its voter turnout for the civic body polls as only 54.8% of the eligible electorate turned up to exercise their franchise. The city had recorded a 56.2% turnout in 2021 while in 2015, it was much higher at 60.4%.

The district's overall turnout too was lower than 2021 at 55.5% (see box). Among other urban local bodies, Banur recorded the highest turnout at 72.86%, followed by Lalru at 69.34% while Zirakpur recorded the lowest turnout at 48.2%.

In Zirakpur, a disenchanted voter said, "It doesn't matter whether you vote or don't vote, nothing changes in our town."

But a few others were hopeful. Many voters standing in queues said the civic issues, including g...