EVMs to be used in Punjab Municipal polls

Chandigarh, Jun 28 (UNI) The electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used in Punjab Municipal polls for the first time.

The elections would be held in 95 Municipal Councils/Nagar Councils including eight Nagar Panchayats on June 30.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the State Election Commission said that total 2950 polling booths had been set up and 28 observers had been deputed for free, fair and smooth conduct of these polls. Around 12,000 polling staff have been assigned duties at the polling centres, he said.

He further added that more than one crore electorates would exercise their franchise to elect their Councilors from 1527 wards in 87 Municipal Councils/Nagar Councils and 8 Nagar Panchayats. Out of this, 251 wards have been reserved for Scheduled Castes candidates, 132 for Scheduled Castes women, 352 for women and 97 wards for Backward Classes candidates. General category candidates are contesting in 699 wards.

He added that the counting of votes would be held at the polling centres on the same day in the evening after the voting was over.

UNI PS BP1718