Punjab polling peaceful, barring minor incidents

Chandigarh: Polling for 117 Assembly seats in Punjab was held amid tight security arrangements on Sunday. The voting remained peaceful, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju.

A voter turnout of over 66.4 per cent was recorded, according to the Election Commission's Turnout App till 5 pm.

The voting started at 8 am and continued till 6 pm. At many places, where the voters had entered booths before 6 pm and were standing in queues, were allowed to cast their votes. Counting of votes will take place on March 10.

The final voting percentage, which is set to increase, will be known after compilation of data, officials said. In the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, the voting percentage stood at 77.4. A total of 1,304 candidates, including 93 women and two transgenders, are in the fray this time.

On law and order, the Chief Electoral Officer said, “Some minor poll-related incidents were witnessed in the state and a total of 18 FIRs were registered on the day of polling to avert any untoward incidents.” — Agencies