Punjab panchayat poll: Violence, booth capturing reported from several areas

Chandigarh, Dec 30: Polling was held on Sunday to elect sarpanchs and panchs for 13,276 villages in Punjab amid tight security arrangements.

State government's claim that adequate arrangements were in place for Panchayat polls fell flat on Sunday after four reported incidents of booth capturing and half a dozen incidents of stone pelting in various parts of the state.

Around 4,363 sarpanchs and 46,754 panchs are already elected unopposed.

Though panchayat elections are not fought on party symbols, almost all candidates in fray for the posts of panch and sarpanch are backed by various parties. With the Congress cadre caught in infighting, the Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party are backing the Congress rebels in a number of panchayats.

The voting will be held from 8 am to 4 pm on Sunday and counting of votes will take place after the conclusion of polling.

As many as 13,276 sarpanchs and 83,831 panchs will be elected for 13,276 villages.

Around 1.27 crore voters will take part in the polling. The State Election Commission has set up 17,268 polling booths and 86,340 personnel are deputed on duty.

Facts and figures of Punjab panchayat poll today:

• Voters: 1,27,87,395
• Male: 66,88,245
• Female: 60,66,245
• Third gender: 97
• 17,268 Polling booths
• 86,340 Poll staff
• 13,276 Posts of Sarpanch
• 22,801 In fray
• 4,363 Elected unopposed
• 83,831 Posts of panch
• 67,960 In fray
• 46754 Elected unopposed