With 81.9%, Gidderbaha records highest voter turnout in Punjab bypolls

As many as 63.91 per cent of voters from the four Assembly constituencies of Gidderbaha, Barnala, Chabbewal and Dera Baba Nanak exercised their franchise in the by-elections held on Wednesday.

The final polling percentage for the elections has been released by the Chief Electoral Office here today. The election was peaceful, with no untoward incident being reported.

The highest polling percentage was recorded in Gidderbaha at 81.9 per cent, followed by Dera Baba Nanak at 64.01 per cent and Barnala at 63.91 per cent. Chabbewal, a reserved seat, recorded the lowest voter turnout at 56.34 per cent, mainly because farmers in this constituency were busy in sowing potato and peas, and did not come out to vote.

The results for these elections will be declared on Saturday. These elections have seen a direct fight between the Congress and ruling Aam Aadmi Party, with BJP emerging as the third significant political force in the state. Shiromani Akali Dal did not contest the polls, but their voters have helped AAP candidates in three constituencies, with local Akali leaders asking their supporters to vote for AAP.