4.99L voters to decide fate of 26 candidates in Nawanshahr
Avneet Kaur
Nawanshahr, February 19
All arrangements have been put in place to ensure free, fair and transparent voting. The district administration and as many as 26 candidates of five main political parties and those contesting as Independents are hopeful of heavy voter turnout.
‘Live Shera’ to raise awareness
To motivate voters for setting up a historic voter turnout in the state, the administration has roped in a team of artistes to spread awareness on voting in large numbers. Two members, dressed up as ‘Live Shera’ in bright Punjabi bhangra suits and wearing face lion masks, will go in public places and markets and motivate people to vote.
A total of 4,99,025 voters, including 1,65,407 in Banga, 1,77,400 in Nawanshahr and 1,56,218 in Balachaur, will exercise their franchise in three Assembly seats of the district. These include 5,381 disabled and 1,366 service voters.
As many as 614 polling booths have been set up for polling at 125 locations. Though a total of 26 candidates are in the fray, the ruling Congress, AAP, SAD-BSP and the rebels are poised for a multi-cornered contest.
DC-cum-District Election Officer, Nawanshahr, Vishesh Sarangal, who oversaw the dispatch of polling parties from different centres on Saturday, said as many as 3,228 employees drawn from the Centre and state governments, banks and public sector undertakings and similar number of staff from the Police Department have been assigned various duties for conducting the poll in a fair manner.
The polling will start at 8 am and will continue till 6 pm. A total of 41 micro observers and 44 sector magistrates have been deployed to keep a close vigil on the polling activities.
Besides, 4000 police and CAPF personnel would keep a strict vigil on the voting day. Out of the total 614 polling booths, 208 booths have been declared vulnerable in the district and would remain directly under the control of the Superintendent of Police along with local Deputy Superintendent of Police to ensure that no untoward situation takes place.
Moreover, strict instructions have been given that no voter or representative or polling agent of any candidate or political party will be allowed to use his or her mobile phone inside the polling station. Only presiding officers will be allowed to use their mobile phones.
Political fate hangs
in the balance
This time, the electoral battle in the constituency has turned interesting with the ruling Congress, which was already facing a tough challenge from rivals – AAP and SAD-BSP, has another competitors in line – the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is contesting in alliance in former CM Captain Amarinder Singh’s Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) and the SSM. Thus, all three Assembly seats are set for a multi-cornered contest.
In the 2017 elections, Congress’ Angad Singh Saini emerged victorious with 38,197 votes against Jarnail Singh Wahid (SAD), who got 34,874 votes, and Charanjit Singh Channi (AAP) polled 32,341 votes. However, this time the political scene is different and the fate of 26 candidates, including Angad Singh, who is contesting as an Independent candidate after being denied ticket from the Congress, Nachhtar Pal, Lalit Mohan Pathak, Darshan Lal Mangupur, Satvir Singh etc, hangs in balance.
All 147 liquor vends sealed
The excise teams have been keeping a close vigil to ensure free, fair and peaceful election. All 147 liquor vends have been sealed in the district following the ending of campaigning on Friday after 6 pm, falling under jurisdiction of Nawanshahr district. Assistant Excise Commissioner Hanuwant Singh said all liquor vends would remain close till the end of voting on Sunday.
