Badal (Bathinda), May 7
In Lambi segment of the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency, which is the home turf of the chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, except for the damage to an electronic voting machine (EVM) installed at Bheetiwala village, all polling stations remained 'unexpectedly' peaceful and recorded around 82 per cent polling.

According to information available, a group of unidentified persons entered the Bheetiwal polling station location and had a brawl outside the booth. Following this, they barged into booth number 137 and damaged the EVM number A66496, where out of the total of 999 votes, about 429 votes had already been polled till the time of the incident, which took place at around 11 am.

Receiving the information, the DC and ADC Muktsar along with the assistant commandant, CRPF, reached the spot and deployed central paramilitary forces there. After a gap of one and half hours, polling resumed with a new EVM. It may be mentioned that earlier, the polling station was manned by the state police personnel who failed to immediately react over the incident.

Later talking to TNS, suporters of all candidates blamed each other for the incident. Confirming the details, Additional Returning Officer (ARO) Parveen Thind said, "After the assurance of the engineer to retrieve the data, we changed the EVM. A police case has been registered and the matter has been reported to the Election Commission."

After observing the election process at Badal, the native village of the ruling Badals, it was apparent that the first family was also the first among the equals.

Besides the chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, no member of his family, including his son deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, SAD candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal and finance minister Manpreet Badal, bothered about the long queue of voters, while waiting for their turn.

They were allowed to vote immediately without awaiting their turn.

Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of the CM, did not even bother about the security personnel manning the entrance of the polling station and entered along with a caravan of three vehicles carrying her kin.

When asked about the violation of the model code of conduct, she first passed on the buck to the policemen on duty for not intercepting her on the gate. Later, realising the mistake, she said to the media, "I am sorry, actually I was not aware of the rules. In future I will keep this in mind."

Manpreet Singh Badal, finance minister of the state, who is well known for his simplicity, today along with his daughter came to the polling station in an old model open 'military colour' jeep, bearing number PB 60 786. When asked about the imposition of ban on vehicles of such colour plying on roads, he said, “I have been using this jeep for a long time now and I do not know about any such order passed against the use of jeeps of such colour.”

Ferozepur, May 7
The Ferozepur constituency recorded the highest ever voter turnout as the overall polling percentage almost touched 70 per cent mark, which is higher than in all previous polls. The voter turnout was 66.55 per cent in 2004, and 62.34 per cent and 63 per cent in 1999 and 1997, respectively. The previous highest was in the year 1985 when 68.37 per cent polling was done.

Returning Officer Megh Raj confirmed that the polling percentage was close to 70 per cent though some reports were still awaited, he told.

Out of all the assembly segments, Ferozepur (Rural) constituency recorded the highest polling percentage with 80 per cent voter turnout, whereas Ferozepur (Urban) recorded 64.51 per cent polling. The lowest voter turnout was reported in Abohar segment where the voter turnout remained 52 per cent.

In other assembly segments, Muktsar, the home town of Congress candidate Jagmeet Brar, recorded 75 per cent polling, whereas in the neighbouring Malout the turnout was 76 per cent. In Jalalabad segment, the polling percentage touched 78 per cent. In Guruharsahai, the voter turnout was 77 per cent, whereas in Balluana and Fazilka, the polling percentage reported was 63 per cent and 65 per cent, respectively.

Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon, who represents Ferozepur constituency, said that SAD candidate Sher Singh would win hands down as people had voted for the party in large numbers in both urban and rural pockets.

Congress candidate Jagmeet Brar said high polling turnout would turn the tables in favour of the Congress.

Bathinda, May 7
Barring an incident of exchange of heated arguments between Congress and SAD-BJP supporters, voting passed off peacefully in Goniana town and Nathana under Bhucho Assembly constituency, with nearly 70 per cent electorate of these areas and adjoining villages exercising their franchise in the Bathinda parliamentary constituency, a prestigious seat from where Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of Deputy CM, and Raninder Singh, son of former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, are contesting.

The turnout at polling booths in these areas was slow in the early hours but picked up by afternoon. While the rural areas witnessed a higher percentage of voting, the residents of the urban areas were comparatively reluctant in exercising their voting rights.

Interestingly, at most of the villages, women were present in large numbers to cast their vote since morning. The men started dropping at polling booths in the afternoon only.

In the case of Goniana, Goniana Khurd and other adjoining villages, the turnout percentage was around 45 by noon. At Har Raipur, Jandawala, Dhelwan and Gobindpur villages in Nathana area, hardly few votes were cast by 10 in the morning.

In many of the villages of Nathana area, groups of workers could be seen going door-to-door to urge voters to come out and exercise their franchise. The voters were also told that in case they needed a transport or any other facility, they could come to the party booth near the polling centres.

Such was the voters’ enthusiasm towards the end of polling that in Nathana, long queues of voters forced poll officials to extend the deadline by 30 minutes.

Strict security arrangements had been made for the smooth conduct of the polls and no major incident, barring minor heated arguments, were reported in these areas.

Abohar, May 7
As supporters of none of the candidates had this time tried to carry door-to-door campaign, the polling started on a dull note today. “Saanu kise ne kiha hi nahin ki vote payo” quipped about 12 persons, who preferred to enjoy the public holiday by playing cards inside the Lok Nayak Jai Parkash Narain park under the shadow of about 50 years old tree.

At Anmol Public School at booth number 91, 70 years old Brahm Parkash Bhusari maintained the distinction of being the first voter. He had exercised his franchise in more than 12 
elections so far.

The migrants from Uttar Pradesh settled in Dhaani Bishernath village near the city bypass had to traverse 2 km distance to poll votes in the Government Elementary School of Azeemgarh, a village turned urban area. This was the only polling station where women outnumbered male voters and waited for their turn for half an hour. The kuchcha and pucca seed farm village voters, most of them belonging to the Raisikh community, had thronged the polling booths during the first hour of the polling and 50 per cent poll had been recorded by 11.30 am when this correspondent reached there. Three relatives helped physically challenged Chint Kaur of Ajit Nagar to reach the polling station sitting on a plastic chair.

In the G D Senior Secondary Model School located in the new Suraj Nagari three of the four polling booths wore deserted look at 11 am. The staff suffered of boredom while the cops were standing in attention position. The booths inside Guru Nanak Sr Secondary School and Market Committee are known for heavy turnout resulting in tension but only 1100 out of 4000 electorates had exercised their right to vote by 12 noon today when SDM Amit Dhaka inspected the polling station.

Rural areas did not present better picture though polling was definitely better than the city. 

Mansa, May 7
Polling in Mansa today ended peacefully. Nearly 75 per cent polling was recorded in the district. District returning officer Kumar Rahul said that overall polling was quiet, however, some incidents of clash occurred at some booths. People were enthusiastic about voting.

There was a close contest between SAD candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Congress candidate Raninder Singh, while some other candidates were also in the fray. Meanwhile, in the pre-poll violence, Mansa police have registered a case against Congress MLA Mangat Rai Bansal and his six supporters on May 6 at night.

According to information gathered from police, a car of Suresh Kumar, son of Banwari Lal, resident of ward 13 Bareta was allegedly damaged by the supporters of Bansal. The police have registered a case under section 307 and 427 of the IPC against Congress MLA and his supporters. Meanwhile, Mangat Rai Bansal alleged that police had registered a false case against him and his supporters.

Along with this, a Congress leader Harbans Singh at Budhlada was injured during a clash with Akali workers. He blamed that Akali worker had beaten him.

SSP Mansa Manwinder Singh said that people had maintained peace during the polling. Meanwhile, CPI (ML) candidate Bhagwant Singh alleged that Akali and Congress parties tried to purchase the votes.

Abohar, May 7
One out of four workers of the SAD-BJP was seriously injured in an attack allegedly by the political opponents with swords after the closing of the polling at village Ruharianwali near here this evening, sources said.

Those rushed to a hospital here with bleeding wounds were identified as Partap Singh and his brothers Narinder Singh and Surinder Singh (sons of Rai Singh) and Rajesh Kumar, son of Prithi Raj. The doctors late in the evening referred Narinder Singh to the CMC Ludhiana, as his condition continued to be serious.

The polling percentage in Abohar has been estimated between 52-55 per cent whereas it was only 45 per cent in 2004 elections. Balluana segment is believed to have recorded 65 per cent, initial reports indicated. — OC

Fazilka, May 7
Armymen stationed at Fazilka who perhaps got an opportunity for the first time to exercise their right to franchise at their posting station were quite enthused.

About 70 per cent of them participated in the polling. In especially set up two polling booths in the area of village Korianwali in vicinity of army headquarters on outskirts of Fazilka town. Of the total, 1970 enrolled voters 1350 polled their votes. In one booth of the total 967 enrolled voters, 621 polled their votes. These included 583 of 887 men and 38 of 80 women. Similarly, in the second polling booth of total 1003 enrolled voter 729 polled their votes.

These included 625 men out of 874 and 104 women out of 129. According to officials sources of the total 1,42,580 voters in Fazilka Assembly constituency about 65 per cent exercise their franchise.

Polling was totally peaceful in this segment. However, there are reports of delay in commencement of polling at certain polling booths due to reported snag in electronic voting machines. The polling was brisk in the morning. 

Bathinda, May 7
The registration of Army personnel as voters from Bathinda had hogged limelight as the Army felt that the administration was not doing its bit by not accepting their forms. Only 2189 forms were registered against the 10,000 forms sent by the Army in Bathinda. But this did not dampen the spirit of the soldiers as they went out to vote even as no polling booth had been set up inside the cantonment.

According to Army sources, the civil administration had come for a recce inside the cantonment for setting up a booth but for reasons unknown, three booths were set up for enabling Army personnel to cast their vote. One was set up in Bhucho Khurd village, one booth in Bhaggu village and one near the PSEB grid.

The maximum turnout of Army voters was at Bhaggu village, about 12 km from the cantonment. As per Vijay Kumar, the supervisor, booths 72 (B) and 72 (C) at Bhaggu village, recorded 74 per cent and 73 per cent polling respectively. Booth 72 (A) at the PSEB grid witnessed 42 per cent polling. Men of all ranks were seen voting and their enthusiasm was clear from the turnout at their booths.

“Despite the fact that we were not many in number, we made a sincere effort to ensure that those registered as voters go out and cast their votes,” an Army officer said.

Overall, the voting was peaceful and many senior Army officers came along with the PBORs and stayed at the booths to ensure that discipline was maintained during polling.

Bathinda, May 7
The reserved staff on election duty at various locations across the city today said they were denied necessities like food and water besides TA/DA. The staff also rued the attitude of the local authorities concerned.

After they were refused the payment of TA/DA, around 40 members of the reserved staff, including 30 women, protested against the authorities at the SSD Girls’ College here today.

The staff members stated that since proper attendance was not taken, they feared that they would not be able to produce an evidence of their presence if the authorities asked about it later.

The reserved staff lamented that the staff on duty was given proper lunch and other facilities but they did not even get breakfast. Lunch and tea were served to them at 3 pm after they told the officials concerned that they had contacted the media.

Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari, when contacted, expressed his helplessness saying that he had not received enough funds from the Centre for paying the TA/DA.

As and when he receives the funds, the TA/DA would be distributed, the DC added.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, May 7
None of the 365 voters listed for the booth number 200 at the village Kumbhkhera of Suratgarh sub-division exercised their franchise today.

The decision was taken yesterday to express resentment over failure of the major political parties in redressing the grievances of the locals, sources said. — OC

Bathinda, May 7
After protracted negotiations with Congress-led protesters at village Lelewala who kept the polling staff confined at the polling station since evening, the district police booked former Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a case related to attempt to murder (FIR No. 41) at Talwandi Sabo police station. Majithia is the brother-in-law of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal.

According to details available, MLA Talwandi Sabo, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu accused Majithia of firing more than a dozen rounds at Lelewala around 5 pm. Majithia then reportedly left followed by a huge caravan of vehicles.

After he left, villagers blocked the main gate of the polling station. Meanwhile, Sidhu reached the spot and joined the dharna and sent a complaint to the Election Commission. On the orders of the EC, the DC and SSP reach the spot and a case was registered against Majithia. The negations continued for over six hours but the protesters were not ready to relent unless they got a copy of the FIR against Majithia. Later, at around 11.30 pm, the Talwandi Sabo police registered a case under section 307 of the IPC against Majithia and four other persons from Lelewala and around 60 unidentified persons.

Bathinda, May 7
Today was altogether a different Thursday for Bathinda when the city wore a serene look throughout the day amid beaming citizens celebrating their democratic rights to choose their representative in the Lok Sabha.

Whatever happened today was unusual as well as unexpected for many; like almost complete calm prevailed in the city, which was a departure from the routine hustle-bustle; record number of voters turnout and almost peaceful voting.

More importantly, the weather also helped the citizens to rejoice the most celebrated national festival of the country in the month of May.

The mercury keeping a low-profile recorded 37 degrees Celsius, lowest maximum temperature of the day during the last eight years, as per the Ago-Met Advisory Service, regional station, PAU, Bathinda.

This is almost three degrees lower than the normal. Further, the mercury settled at 20.5 degrees Celsius at the lowest level to create a ‘conducive atmosphere for voting.’

Moreover, the city witnessed less traffic with most of the shops and offices closed and the residents preferring to stay indoors after exercising their right to franchise and meeting their acquaintances.

However, everyone did not appear pleased with the way things came before them.

The electoral staff called from different places to some polling stations complained of poor facilities provided to them.

The night before the D-day turned out to be a nightmare for the staff deployed at the local Industrial Training Institute.

A polling staff said they had to sleep on the bus roofs. There was no bedding arrangement for them. “What to talk about tea, even water was not available,” another staff member chipped in.

The food provided was stale while the condition of toilets was pathetic, complained the officer.

“However, it was our duty and we did it,” he added.

There was no electricity from 5 pm till 11 pm yesterday night, said an election staff at another polling booth in the city. He also complained of the poor quality of the food they were provided with. They had to throw them in the bins.

The whole day long, the staff awaited their duty to come to an end so that they could go back to their places.