Chandigarh, March 5
The fate of 1,078 Punjab candidates — 985 male and 93 female — sealed by 1,38,92,749 voters on January 30, would finally be decided tomorrow.

The counting of votes will begin simultaneously in all 117 constituencies from 8 am onwards and the results are expected to be declared by noon, revealed Kusumjit Sidhu, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

As many as 72,78,508 men and 66,14,241 women across 22 districts and 19,841polling stations had exercised their right to franchise to choose their representative for the Vidhan Sabha. It’s for the first time that the candidates and voters had to wait for six weeks to know the outcome.

Of 93,20,878 registered male voters, 72,78,508 turned up to vote (78.09 per cent). Against 83,61,485 registered female voters, 66,14,241 (79.11 per cent) cast their ballot.

Nearly 2,000 paramilitary personnel and 2,000 members of the polling staff were deployed on duty across the state. “We will videograph the counting process in all centres,” said Kusumjit, adding that a sizeable number of General Observers and Micro Observers have been deployed. The Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and senior police officers have already reviewed the arrangements at all counting centres, said the CEO.

It is for the first time that the expenditure of candidates would be calculated on the counting day also. Candidates are hence keeping a low profile and have not revealed their party plans in advance. Owing to the five-week inordinate gap between polling and counting, several candidates are jittery. They are also worried about snags developing in the EVMs.