Chandigarh, February 20: Punjab reported overall peaceful single-phased poll to elect 117 representatives for Assembly constituencies.
Till 5 pm, 63.44 voting percentage was recorded in Punjab.
Thanking the people of Punjab for coming out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right, Chief Electoral Officer Dr S Karuna Raju said the people of Punjab have set an excellent example by participating in the election process peacefully.
He said that focus of ECI was to ensure peaceful poll in a free and fair manner.
He said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that 196 all-women polling stations also saw a large numbers of voters. Dr Raju said that the main feature of this election was deputation of 8784 micro-observers in addition to 65 General Observers, 29 Police observers and 50 expenditure observers by ECI.
He said that in the morning during the mock polling, 146 ballot units, 152 control units and 433 VVPAT machines were replaced, while 72 ballot units, 64 control units and 649 VVPATs were replaced while polling was underway.
He also said that not a single case of disruption of poll and inducement of voters was brought to the notice of the Commission during the day.
Dr Raju thanked all the polling personnel, security personnel and Punjab Police personnel for ensuring free, fair and peaceful polls in the state.
He also thanked 25,000 Booth Level Officers (BLO), PWD coordinators, Asha Workers, Aanganwadi workers, Mid-Day-Meal workers and Village Chowkidars for their contribution in the election process.
On law and order situation, Dr Raju said that some minor poll related incidents were reported in the state and a total of 18 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered on day of polling to avert any untoward incidents.
