Around 74% turnout of electorates during polling for 117 assembly constituencies in Punjab

Ludhiana, February 4, 2017: Polling concluded in all the assembly constituencies of Punjab today. Around 74 per cent polling take place across the state. The district-wise poll percentage is as under: Fazilka (78%), Pathankot (77%), Patiala (77%), Barnala (77%), Sangrur (83%), Mansa (81%), Bathinda (76%), Faridkot (80%), Muktsar (81%), Ferozepur (80%), Moga (75%), Ludhiana (73%), Fatehgarh Sahib (80%), SAS Nagar (69%), Ropar (71%), Nawan Shahr (75%), Hoshiapur (68%), Jalandhar (71%), Kapurthala (74%), Tarn Taran 70%),Amritsar (67%) and Gurdaspur (62%).
It may be mentioned here that there are a total 117 assembly constituencies in Punjab and a total 19879069 electorates across the state.
The polling held almost in a peaceful manner. Tight security arrangements were made to check any untoward incident during polling.

Meanwhile, a report from Patiala said:
Thanking the voters of Punjab for ensuring peaceful elections, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday said the people had given their mandate for peace and stability, while rejecting all disruptive and destructive forces.

Amid reports of high voter turnout in the state, Captain Amarinder said people had come out to vote for change and for the revival of Punjab’s golden era.

Every single vote will make a difference to securing and nurturing the state’s future, he said, adding that Punjab’s electorate had once again set a benchmark in upholding the democratic ethos of the country.

Confident of a decisive mandate in favour of the Congress, Captain Amarinder said the fact that the voters defied all fear and pressure to come out in large numbers to exercise their free choice bode well for the future of Punjab.

Though counting of votes and results was more than a month away, the signs of change were already there, said Captain Amarinder, adding that die had been cast for the restoration of Punjab’s development and progressive agenda.

The Congress chief ministerial candidate expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the voters, saying every single vote of theirs was a vote for a progressive, stable, harmonious and peaceful Punjab.

Another report from Patiala said:
Dubbing these assembly polls as a vote for stability versus communalism and radicalism, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday cast his vote in Patiala, exuding confidence of a clean sweep in the elections across the entire state, including the Malwa region, which poll pundits had been propping up as an AAP stronghold.

Voters in his hometown of Patiala rushed to welcome Captain Amarinder, as he arrived with his family at the Govt. College for Women to exercise his franchise, with the promise of ushering in the much-needed new dawn (navan savera) in the state.

From the elderly to the youth, men and women crowded around the Congress candidate from Patiala Urban to shower their love and wishes on the chief ministerial candidate, pinning their hopes on his leadership to steer Punjab through the abyss of darkness in which they had been living for the past 10 years under the Akali regime.

For many of the voters at the booth, it was a moment to be cherished, which they were quick to capture by getting themselves clicked with Captain Amarinder, in whom they clearly saw the next chief minister and `messiah’ of Punjab.

Talking to mediapersons before casting the ballot, Captain Amarinder termed the elections as a vote for peace, communal harmony and stability, asserting that the people of Punjab wanted the experience and expertise of the Congress to get the state back on the rails of progress and development. The people, he said, had voted for stability versus communal and radical politics.

Captain Amarinder dismissed any threat from either the Shiromani Akali (SAD), which had ripped apart the state’s social, religious and economic fiber in the past 10 years, or the Aam Admi Party (AAP), whose popularity graph had shown a drastic decline in the past two-three years with the exposure of their misdeeds and failures.

People have voted for securing the future of their children, he said, adding that the Punjab stood at the brink of positive change, which the Congress was all set to provide it.

Sampla thanks people of Punjab for casting their votes; Says, this is a demonstration of active citizenship and patriotism: Sampla
A report from Chandigarh said:
Union Minister and Punjab BJP president, Vijay Sampla today thanked the people of Punjab for casting their votes for the state Assembly polls. Stating that this was a demonstration of active citizenship and patriotism, Sampla said, “I thank the voters of Punjab who have voted in the Assembly elections. I appreciate the tolerance, dignity and patience with which they conducted themselves as they cast their vote”.
Sampla also thanked the officials who worked hard to ensure peaceful elections. “I would also like to congratulate the Election Commission, the security agencies and other government departments for their hard work and dedication over the past few months which ensured free and fair elections”.
Sampla also acknowledged the positive spirit in which the political parties conducted themselves during the elections, calling it an indication of our maturity as a democracy. He further appreciated the comprehensive coverage of the elections by the media, and affirmed the positive role of the media in strengthening and enhancing democracy.
“Last, but not the least, I would like to thank my entire team and the party workers who so generously contributed their time and effort to the election campaign to make it a success”, added Sampla.

Balbir Sidhu hails peaceful poll in Mohali
A report from Mohali said:
Balbir Sidhu the Congress candidate from Mohali has thanked Mohali people to come in good number to cast their votes for Punjab Assembly election today.
Whosoever will win the poll, but today it was victory of democracy that allow every citizen an opportunity to voice their opinion and vote for what they believe in, Sidhu remarked.
He also thanked Election Commission for carrying out smooth and peaceful election in Mohali.
Meanwhile, Balbir Sidhu along with family including his wife, son and daughter-in-law cast his vote at St. Soldier School, Phase 7 here at 9 in the morning.

A report from Ferozepur said:
The polling in four assembly constituencies of Ferozepur including Ferozepur (Urban), Ferozepur (Rural), Zira and Guruharsahai remained peaceful today. While Zira, Guruharsahai and Ferozepur (Rural) constituencies witnessed huge turnouts, the polling percentage remained moderate in Ferozepur (Urban) constituency. In Zira, 85 percent voters, in Ferozepur Rural 83 percent voters, in Guruharsahai 83 percent voters and in Ferozepur Urban Constituency, 71 percent voters polled their votes.
Overall 82 percent voters polled their vote in Ferozepur District.
Though, few incidents were reported where tense moments were witnessed but overall the situation remained peaceful.
In Guruharsahai, at Village Behak Gujran, SAD and Congress supporters collided with each other. However, the matter was resolved immediately following the intervention of police. In other incident, three unidentified motobikers opened fire near booth number 187-190 at Government Girls School in Guruharsahai. However, nothing unfortunate took place and the polling continued.
At Talwandi Bhai in Ferozepur (Rural) constituency, the police nabbed a congress worker along with cash of Rs. 50,0000. He was nabbed following secret information received by the police that the cash might be used to distribute among voters. As soon as the matter was reported, the police arrested the congress worker and impounded.

Arvind Kejriwal pays gratitude to people of Punjab for absolute support to AAP
Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today expressed his gratitude the people of Punjab for their overwhelming support to the AAP would create a history by scoring record number of seats in assembly elections.
Kejriwal said that people of Punjab deserve all the credit for being part of a revolution for building a new Punjab and against family rule. This election would strength the faith of people in the democracy. He said that people from all walks of life across the party lines and without cast and creed have voted for AAP with the hope of a happy and prosperous Punjab. “I once again assure all the people of Punjab that AAP would provide a honest and progressive government”, he added.
Kjeriwal said that people of Punjab had faced a long ordeal of lawlessness, drug menace, unemployment and corrupt regime. He said that it was election of people, fought by people for the people. I also congratulate people of Punjab for peaceful elections. He said that AAP supporters deserve appreciation for maintained high restraint despite provocation by certain vested interests.
AAP convener said that people of Punjab have already won the battle and now the formal results would be announced on March 11.