CHANDIGARH: Punjab registered a record 78 per cent polling in the high-stakes assembly elections amid technical snags and sporadic incidents of violence. Additional director general of police VK Bhawra said, "Barring stray incidents of violence, the polling in single-phase remained peaceful." Two people were injured in a clash which took place between AAP and Congress workers at Sultanpur village in Sangrur district. SAD-BJP, Congress, and the AAP have all locked horns in a triangular contest.
In Ferozepur's Guru Har Sahai segment, unidentified miscreants fired gunshots in the air, triggering panic. Another, incident involved AAP candidate of Dera Baba Nanak segment being booked for allegedly using undue influence on the complaint of Congress nominee. At least 187 voter-verified paper audit trail machines that were installed for the first time in the ongoing polls, developed snags during the polling process. As many as 538 VVPAT machines developed glitches during the mock poll. Punjab CEO VK Singh called it a "logistic nightmare." Such episodes were reported the most in Majitha, Muktsar, Sangrur, Barnala, and Bathinda constituencies. "We will see the report of the returning officer and take a call on whether a repoll will be held or not," Singh said.
A polling station in Moga is heading for a repoll as the polling staff included 50 mock poll votes in the actual voting, by mistake. One hundred and ninety five electronic voting machines developed technical snag during the mock poll and 47 turned faulty during the polling. Over 100,000 paramilitary personnel were deployed in the state for smooth conduct of polls. The Election Commission said more than 80 per cent voters exercised their franchise in districts such as Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, and Sangrur. Experts said this clearly indicated a fiercely fought three-cornered battle in Malwa.
Voting was also held for the Goa where 83 per cent voters exercised their franchise. Next polling will be held in Uttarakhand, Manipur and Uttar Pradesh, which will see seven-phase elections. Results of all states will be announced on March 11.
