Civic body elections: 11.65 lakh voters to decide fate of 447 candidates today

Ludhiana is all set for the Municipal Corporation elections to be held on Saturday at 1,296 polling booths, from 7 am to 4 pm.

A total of 11,65,749 voters will decide the fate of candidates in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation elections in which 447 candidates are contesting. Additionally, 160 candidates are contesting in various municipal councils and one nagar panchayat.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Jitendra Jorwal supervised the dispatch of polling parties from different centres, including the Khalsa College for Women and Government College for Girls.

He said there were a total of 11,65,749 voters for the MC elections, which include 6,24,708 male, 54,09,38 female and 103 voters belonging to the third gender category.

Furthermore, 420 polling stations have been classified as very sensitive, receiving security support from the police to ensure a fair election process.

For the elections to the Machhiwara Municipal Council, Sahnewal Municipal Council, Mullanpur Dakha Municipal Council, Malaud Nagar Panchayat, Khanna Municipal Council, and Municipal Council Samrala, there were 62,438 voters in total, which include 32,429 male, 30,007 female and two third gender voters. Across these councils and the nagar panchayat, 56 wards will have 80 polling booths, including 31 sensitive and 14 very sensitive.

The DEO urged election staff to perform their duties diligently to ensure that voters could cast their votes in a smooth manner and without any hassle. He emphasised the responsibility placed on their shoulders to facilitate a peaceful election process and assured polling parties of full support. Elaborate arrangements have been made to assist polling parties and voters at polling booths.

Jorwal also called on voters to set a new turnout record by participating in large numbers on the election day. This year, for the first time, CCTV cameras will be installed at every polling station to ensure transparency in polling and counting.

Voting will be held from 7 am to 4 pm, with counting starting immediately after the polling.