Measures in place as poll day arrives

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 18

The district administration has completed all preparations for the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections scheduled for Wednesday.

The polling teams were sent to their respective polling stations after they were issued ballot boxes and stationery.

As many as 8,96,516 voters would participate in the elections for which voting would be conducted at 1,282 polling booths.

The polling staff were given final instructions before they left for their polling stations.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Kamaldeep Singh Sangha said 86 booths had been declared highly sensitive while 204 booths declared sensitive.

Sangha said extra security forces had been deployed at these booths to ensure fair and free elections. The election process would start at 8 am and continue till 4 pm.

The elections would be conducted for 24 seats of Zila Parishad out of the total 25 as one has already been won unopposed by a Congress candidate.

In Block Samitis, of 199 zones, the elections would be conducted for 154 zones as 45 candidates have already been elected unopposed. As many as 59 candidates for elections to Zila Parishad and 444 for Block Samiti are in the fray.

The Deputy Commissioner has also issued orders for closure of all wine shops and service bars in rural areas on the day of election.

The ban has also been imposed on storage and serving liquor at hotels, restaurants and other places.

He said the squad teams of the administration would keep a check on law and order situation and rush to different spots when required.

The Deputy Commissioner also urged the residents to participate in the voting process and strengthen the democracy. The results of the elections would be announced on September 22.

Tight security in Tarn Taran

Polling parties were dispatched to the polling stations on Tuesday for the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections to be held on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal said there were 895 polling stations, of which 483 were for Zila Parishad and 429 for Block Samiti.

He said tight security arrangements were made for conducting free and fair election.

The district has 20 zones of the Zila Parishd and 160 zones for the eight Block Samitis.

The Congress has won nine zones of the Zila Parishad and 83 of Block Samiti. Two SAD candidates have also won unopposed.

There was a direct contest between the Congress and SAD at most zones. — OC

Poll data for Amritsar, Tarn Taran

• As many as 8,96,516 voters would participate in the elections for which voting would be conducted at 1,282 polling booths. 
• The elections would be conducted for 24 seats of Zila Parishad out of the total 25 as one has already been won unopposed by a Congress candidate.
• In Block Samitis, of 199 zones, the elections would be conducted for 154 zones as 45 candidates have already been elected unopposed. As many as 59 candidates for elections to Zila Parishad and 444 for Block Samiti are in the fray
• The results of the elections would be announced on September 22
• Tarn Taran district has 20 zones of the Zila Parishd and 160 zones for the eight Block Samitis
• The Congress has won nine zones of the Zila Parishad and 83 of Block Samiti in Tarn Taran. Two SAD candidates have also won unopposed