Amritsar, September 19: Polling for the zila parishads and panchayat samitis began in Punjab on Wednesday morning amid tight security arrangements.
Former Punjab Chief minister, Prakash Singh Badal was among the first to cast his votes in Badal village. Soonafter casting his vote he alleged that in some parts booth capturing was being reported with the collusion of the local administration. Though election offiicals are yet to confirm any such reports.
Meanwhile, nearly 10 people were rounded up with weapons, live cartridges from Manjinder Singh Bittu’s hotel in Muktsar. Bittu is son of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh. He is contesting Zila Parishad election from Udekaran zone.
Approximately 1.27 crore voters are casting their ballot.
The polling began at 8 am and will conclude at 4 pm. The State Election Commission has made it clear that those in queues at polling stations at 4 pm will not be turned away.
A senior officer said counting would be held on September 22.
In all, 17,268 booths have been set up. The commission has appointed 35 observers who will be assisted by 50,000 police personnel. The voters will be electing 354 members of 22 zila parishads and 2,900 members of 150 panchayat samitis. Thirty-three candidates have been elected unopposed to various zila parishads.
In case of panchayat samitis, 369 contestants have been declared elected unopposed. The Patiala Zila Parishad received the maximum nominations (109), followed by Sangrur (106) and Amritsar (100). The Pathankot Zila Parishad received 30 nominations, the least. In Tarn Taran, 21 of the total 80 nominations for zila parishad elections were rejected.
Ludhiana district saw the maximum nominations for panchayat samiti elections (758), followed by Sangrur (750) and Amritsar (732).
Source Tribune India
