M A I N   N E W S

70% voting in Moga Assembly bypoll
Tribune News Service

A man comes out after casting his vote in Moga. Tribune photo

Moga, February 23
Despite heavy downpour, 71.18 per cent polling was reported in the by-election to the Moga assembly seat today. There were allegations that cash was distributed at some places but the district administration denied such reports. No untoward incident was reported from here till evening. The fate of 10 candidates has been sealed in the EVMs. A direct fight is being seen between SAD candidate Joginder Pal Jain and Congress candidate Vijay Sathi but the presence of PPP candidate Ravinder Singh Dhaliwal has also acquired significance due to conscientious campaigning by him.

Stating that the voting was peaceful, returning officer (RO) Joram Beda said 79.42 per cent polling was reported in the rural areas, while 64.09 per cent polling was seen in Moga city. The polling started at 8 am sharp amid heavy downpour. By 11 am, polling was 25 per cent, which crossed 45 per cent by 2 pm. Heavy rush of voters was seen at the polling booths thereafter. The voting percentage could have been higher but the adverse weather conditions played spoilsport.

A snag developed in the EVM at polling booth number 171 at DM College of Education but the machine was replaced soon and polling continued smoothly.

Meteorological Department reported 10 mm of rainfall till the evening, which was still continuing when the news report was last filed.