Estimated 32 per cent polling in Valtoha till noon

Chandigarh, Feb 24 (UNI) An estimated 32 per cent of nearly 1,18,000 voters exercised their franchise till noon today in the elections to the Valtoha Assembly constituency in Punjab.

The polling, which started on a dull to moderate note at 0800 hrs, was progressing peacefully at all the booths in the constituency where long queues of people were seen at some polling stations.

The polling will decide the electoral fortune of five candidates -- Mr Gurchet Singh (INC), Mr Virsa Singh (SAD), Mr Swaran Singh (BSP), Ms Kiran Bir Kaur (CPI) and Mr Harchand Singh (Independent) -- who have locked horns in the fray.

The polling was postponed in the constituency due to the death of CPI candidate, Kulwinder Singh, who had died in a road accident before the February 13 assembly polls. His wife Kiran Bir Kaur has now been given the party ticket.

All arrangements were in place for peaceful and smooth conduct of the polling which will close at 1700 hrs, State Election Office here said adding elaborate security arrangements had been made to check any untoward incident.

The Punjab Government has declared a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act in the constituency today to enable voters to cast their ballots. All Government offices, Corporation and Boards offices and educational institutions in the constituency are closed on account of polling.

Counting of votes in the constituency will be taken up along with other constituencies on February 27.

UNI