Punjab goes to the polls

Chandigarh, February 4

As Punjab goes to the polls for the state Assembly, The Tribune will bring you all the action as it happens. The page will be updated repeatedly for developments on the voter front, the Election Commission office, the administration and the political parties.

(Keep visiting the link through the day.)

PATTI

Election observer for Patti constituency warns Congress candidate Harminder Gill of seizing his vehicles, other than his car and security vehicle, if he found in his cavalcade. Observer and Congress candidate came face to face when Gill arrived to cast his vote at Patti town.

CHANDIGARH (Updated 11.34 am)

14 per cent polling in Punjab till 11.30 am

LUDHIANA (Updated 11.17 am)

Supporters of senior SAD leader Hira Singh Gabria booked by Daba Police for attacking LIP candidate Balwinder Bains last night. Bains did not sustain any injuries. Following the attack, Bains supporters had ransacked the office of Gabria.

LAMBI (Updated 11.15 am)

Sukhbir Badal says the SAD will get 80 seats. In both Lambi and Jalalabad, the Akalis will secure No. 1 position, Congress 2 and AAP 3. Harsimrat says people will vote for development, even opponents can’t say anything about it. She alleges the AAP has links with extremist forces.

SIRHIND (Updated 11.10 am)

Technical snag in VVPat machines at Sirhind and Chanarthal.                       

CHANDIGARH

12 per cent polling in Punjab till 10.30 am

MAJITHA

SAD’s Bikram Majithia could not cast his vote like hundreds others at Polling Station-35 of Ward No. 5 due to snag in EVM.

CHANDIGARH

EVMs with VVPAT are developing snag almost in all 33 segments where they are installed. Punjab CEO likely to seek ECI permission to replace defective VVPAT EVMs with conventional EVMs. Major trouble with VVPATs in Muktsar, Majitha, Barnala and Sangrur districts. Almost entire stock of reserved VVPATs exhausted in Majitha segment which is also decalred as sensitive seat by ECI. The Majitha RO has sent an emergency communication to EC informing depleting reserved stock of VVPATs. Meeting begins at EC headquarters to deal with the situation.

FAZILKA

SAD Guruharsahai (Ferozpur) candidate Vardev Singh Mann and his son Harpindet Singh booked for not depositing firearms ahead of polling.

FARIDKOT

Election commission is very strict in installation of polling tents by political parties in



Faridkot, not allowing tents within 200 meter of polling booths

SANAUR

SHO Sanaur shifted midnight and SHO Julka police station (Patiala) shifted by ECI just after polling begins. Both Sanour and Julka police stations fall under Sanaur segment, where Chandumajra's son is contesting against Tohra's daughter. Action against SHO Jhulka came last night after Patiala SSP S Bhoopathi visited the police station and shifted him.                       

CHANDIGARH

Instructions of EC to not carry mobiles creating confusion outside polling booths. People are returning without casting votes as there is no provision to keep mobile outside.

SANGRUR

SAD and Congress leaders booked for last night’s clash in Khanauri. Town still tense.

CHANDIGARH

Sky overcast at many places, strong winds. Polling slow till 10 am.

SHUTRANA

Heavy police presence in Shutrana Grain Market as AAP and Congress supporters gather and raise slogans in support of their parties. Police on spot to avert any violence.

SANGRUR

Administration has deputed additional force in Malerkotla after getting information about likely problems

CHANDIGARH

8 per cent polling till 9.30 am in Punjab.

BADAL

Gurdas Badal says: “God knows who will win from Lambi, Parkash or Amarinder. People are annoyed with Akalis, and I think Congress is coming to power.”

SANGRUR

Dera Sirsa followers have formed teams to ensure that all followers give votes to only SAD as some other party candidates are trying to woo followers.

PATIALA (Updated 9.50 am)

Capt Amarinder Singh, along with his family members, to cast his vote at 12 noon at Government College for Girls. He is camping at New Moti Bagh Palace and keeping a close watch on developments in Patiala and Lambi, from where he is the official candidate.

MOHALI(Updated 9.15 am)

AAP leader Bhagwant Mann casts his vote at Mohali. "Our contest is with drugs and corruption," he said.

BADAL(Updated 9.15 am)

Manpreet first from the Badal clan to cast his vote. He came in a jeep along with his son Arjun. Says "it will be a historic defeat of the Akalis. I will win with a good margin.

LUDHIANA (Updated 9.15 am)

Clash between Balwinder Bains and Hira Singh Gabria supporters left five injured. Reports of gunfire. Incident took place around midnight.