68% voter turnout in polling booths, 18 FIRs are recorded till now across the state, Election Updates.Â
With the ongoing Punjab elections from February 20, the voter turnout on the first day of the polling was almost 70 percent. The rural region of the state saw a much higher turnout in the people to vote than the urban areas.
The Mawa region has the highest number of seats in the state, with 69 seats, and has the highest turnout amongst all the Doaba and Majha regions.
The Police had deployed 700 central armed police force companies besides the state police personnel to guard the poll booths. Poll disturbance has also been bare except for some minor clashes, which led to 18 FIRs being registered in the state. Â
Adding onto it, the Chief Election Officer of Punjab had applauded the state’s people for coming out in such a vast number to take part in the election process and exercise their constitutional rights.
He also congratulated the voters on the smooth running of the polling booths. The voter turnout was comparatively lower in the Mawa region, where the AAP party contested elections last time. Dhuri, AAP CM face Bhagwat Maan’s constituency saw a voter turn out of 68% till 5 pm yesterday.
Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur, where CM Channi is contesting the elections, saw 70% and 71%, respectively. Â
Aam Aadmi Party also raised multiple complaints regarding booth capturing and allegedly bogus voting.
In this regard, Election Commission had restrained actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood from visiting the polling stations in Moga over the suspicion that he was trying to influence the people of the area.
The actor’s car was impounded by Police in this context, although Sonu Sood had denied all the charges claiming that other candidates were trying to influence the voters. Â
On Monday, Rana Singh Sodhi, BJP Nominee from Ferozpur Urban, was booked on alleged manipulation of polling booths. On Sunday, Mr. Sodhi had entered the polling booth with his security guards when voting was underway.
However, Sodhi had denied the charge of being present during that time. Suppose he is proven guilty for exercising influence over the voters.
He would be jailed for one year or a fine or both. Mr. Sodhi was booked on polling eve after campaigning at his supporter’s house Tarsem Singh, who was also booked under section 188 of IPC. Â
With the Punjab Elections underway, 1304 candidates contested the election, of which 1209 are men, 93 women, and two are from the third gender.
This is the second time that the contestants are from all three genders as opposed to the earlier elections except the last one. The votes would be counted on March 10. Â
Edited by: Mahi Gupta
Published by: Pawan Rajput
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