PUNJAB POLL 2022: Patiala district records 72.5% turnout, voting remains largely peaceful

Tribune News Service

Karam Prakash

Patiala, February 20

With 72.5 per cent voter turnout, the polling for the Assembly elections today remained peaceful in the district. No major incident of violence was reported in the district. Out of the eight constituencies, Ghanaur reported the highest voter turnout of 78 per cent. Patiala city recorded the lowest voter turnout of 63.3 per cent. Meanwhile, it has been learnt a scuffle broke out between agents of two parties at Babu Singh Colony in Patiala Rural constituency.

Patiala SSP Sandeep Garg said the situation at the Babu Singh Colony was under control. “It was a minor scuffle. However, one person was injured. We will take action after taking statement of the injured,” the SSP said.

Long queues were witnessed at various polling stations in the district as voters patiently waited to exercise their right to vote.

In some constituencies, free transportation to the voters, to and fro the polling station, was a common place. In a last minute effort to woo voters, candidates and their supporters were seen providing shuttle service at the polling stations.

E- rickshaws, cars and mini pickup trucks, arranged by candidates, were at standby at many polling stations in the district. Voters were picked from their respective houses and dropped back after casting their votes.

Meanwhile, District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Hans said enthusiasm was clearly visible among the voters who turned out in large numbers. He said that all the voters, who had entered the polling booths before 6 pm, were allowed to cast their vote. Hans said, “People participated in the festival of democracy with enthusiasm. Realising the importance of their right to vote, many brides and grooms cast their votes before solemising the wedding, which also motivated other voters to come out of their houses to exercise their right.”

Hans, who also exercised his right after waiting in queue for around 20 minutes at a polling station said, “Voting remained peaceful in the district. No incident of any kind of violence was reported. I want to thank voters, polling staff and security personnel for peaceful elections.”

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