1296 polling parties dispatched to booths

Ludhiana, December 20, 2024: A total of 1,228,187 voters will decide the fate of the elections for the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana (MCL), where 447 candidates are competing. Additionally, 160 candidates are contesting in various Municipal Councils and one Nagar Panchayat. Voting will take place on Saturday at 1,296 polling booths, operating from 7 AM to 4 PM.

Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, who also serves as the District Election Officer (DEO), supervised the dispatch of polling parties from different centers, including Khalsa College for Women and the Government College for Girls. He detailed that there are a total of 1165749 voters for the MCL elections, which includes 624708 male voters, 540938 female voters, and 103 voters identifying as third gender. Furthermore, 420 polling stations have been classified as very sensitive, receiving security support from local police to ensure a fair election process involving 447 candidates.

For the elections pertaining to Machhiwara Municipal Council, Sahnewal Municipal Council, Municipal Council Mullanpur Dakha, Nagar Panchayat Malaud, Municipal Council Khanna, and Municipal Council Samrala, the Deputy Commissioner stated that there are 62438 voters in total, which includes 32429 male voters, 30007 female voters, and two third-gender voters. Across these councils and the Nagar Panchayat, 56 wards will have 80 polling booths, with 31 as sensitive and 14 as very sensitive. The DEO urged all election staff to perform their duties diligently to ensure that voters can cast their votes smoothly and without any hassle. He emphasized the significant responsibility placed on their shoulders to facilitate a peaceful election process and assured the polling parties of full support. Elaborate arrangements have been made to assist both polling parties and voters at the polling booths.

Jorwal also called on voters to set a new turnout record by participating in large numbers on Election Day. This year, for the first time, CCTV cameras will be installed at every polling station to promote transparency in both the polling and counting processes. Voting will occur from 7 AM to 4 PM, with vote counting starting immediately after the polls close.

Among those present at the event were ADC Amarjit Bains, Additional Chief Administrator GLADA Vineet Kumar, CM Field Officer Kritika Goyal, and SDM Dr. Baljinder Singh Dhillon, along with others.