Lowest-ever polling in Amritsar
AMRITSAR: Except for the 1992 general election when the Shiromani Akali Dal boycotted the poll, the lowest-ever voters turnout at 43 per cent was recorded in the border Lok Sabha constituency of Amritsar.

More poll stories:

Cong activist dies of heart attack
AMRITSAR, Sept 5 — Congress activist Jagdish Dilawari suffered a heart attack and later died in a hospital, following a clash with BJP workers here today.

Polling staff unaware of EVM use
AMRITSAR, Sept 5 — Not a single vote could be cast at polling booth No. 69 in Singwala village of the Faridkot Lok Sabha constituency for two-and-a-half hours this morning because poll staff was unaware about the operation of the electronic voting machine.

Tipsy poll officer replaced
AMRITSAR, Sept 5 — A tipsy Presiding Officer was replaced in the Jandiala Assembly segment of the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency this morning.

Liquor "seized"
JALANDHAR Sept 5 — About 250 cartons of liquor were "seized" from a marriage palace at Raikot in the Sangrur constituency by CPM activists and the Punjabi Bhalai Manch led by Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, former Union Minister, on Saturday night.

Two Punjab Congress leaders expelled
CHANDIGARH, Sept 5 — Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, has expelled Mr Gurbir Singh Sandhu, president of the District Congress Committee, Ferozepore; and Mr Kewal Krishan, president of the Block Congress Committee, Jalalabad; from the Congress for six years for their anti-party activities.

NCC cadets do good job
CHANDIGARH, Sept 5 — Cadets of the NCC deployed at various polling booths falling under the jurisdiction of NCC Group, Patiala, have done a commendable job.

Rakhra to promote Punjabi culture
PATIALA, Sept 5 — Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra, SAD-BJP candidate, along with Punjabi theatre and folk artists will organise shows on Punjabi culture and plays on patriotism and Sikhism written by Punjabi dramatists to propagate the message of universal brotherhood by our great Gurus.

Statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh shifted
MOGA, Sept 5 — A statue of Bhagat Singh installed on the crossing of the Moga-Kotkapura and Baghapurana Mudki road at Baghapurana town 15 km from here, by the freedom fighters of the region several years ago, has been shifted from there and installed near a nullah passing through a village by the Baghapurana Municipal Committee. No senior leader raised any objection against it.

Lowest-ever polling in Amritsar

AMRITSAR: Except for the 1992 general election when the Shiromani Akali Dal boycotted the poll, the lowest-ever voters turnout at 43 per cent was recorded in the border Lok Sabha constituency of Amritsar. Barring a few incidents of rigging, impersonation and minor clashes between supporters of the BJP and the Congress, the polling was low but peaceful. Amritsar had topped the list of district where polling stations were declared sensitive.

In Tarn Taran, the voting percentage was about 52 per cent. As compared to the urban areas, the polling in villages of both Amritsar and Tarn Taran was brisk.

Polling started at a very dull note, especially in the Civil Lines, walled city as well as in the outskirts of Amritsar city. However, it picked up late in the afternoon. While long queues were seen in various polling stations of Amritsar, there was little rush in the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency where electronic voting machines were used for the first time. Till 4 pm. about 40 per cent polling was recorded in various Assembly segments of the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency.

The break down of the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency till 4 pm was :Beas (44 per cent), Raja Sansi (40), Jandiala (40), Attari (40), Taran Taran (42), Khadoor Sahib (39), Naushehra Pannuan (41), Patti (46) and Valtoha (45 per cent). In the Amritsar Lok Sabha, 41 per cent polling was recorded from Batala, Majitha (37), Ajnala (41), Qadian (50), Verka (50), Amritsar north (25), Amritsar west (30), Amritsar central (30) and Amritsar south (22 per cent) till 4 pm.

Interestingly, the polling was comparatively brisk in the border belt from where a large number of people had migrated to safer places in the wake of the Kargil conflict.

BATHINDA: More than 50 per cent of the total electorate in this reserved constituency exercised their franchise today.

Mr S.R. Ladhar, District Returning Officer, in a pressnote issued here claimed that polling was peaceful.

LUDHIANA: A low-to-moderate turnout was the highlight of polling for the Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency where elections to the Ludhiana (north) Assembly seat were also held.

A round of various polling stations showed that while polling was moderate in the rural areas, it was quite low in the urban areas. According to official sources, only 45 per cent of the total electorate of this constituency exercised their franchise.

For the Ludhiana (north) Assembly seat, around 34 per cent of the voters turned out to cast their votes.

The highest turnout of voters was in the Kila Raipur Assembly segment of the constituency with 60 per cent of the voters casting their votes. The turnout in the Payal Assembly segment was 55 per cent, in Kum Kalan and Jagraon segments 50 per cent, in Dakha and Ludhiana rural 45 per cent, in Ludhiana (east) 34 per cent, in Ludhiana (west) 32 per cent and in the Ludhiana (north) Assembly segment 34 per cent.

Deputy Commissioner Arun Goel said polling was by and large peaceful. Minor scuffles at two places were reported but polling was not disrupted.

FARIDKOT: Polling in this sensitive parliamentary constituency was marred by some incidents of violence, firing, clashes and skirmishes between Akali and Congress workers and alleged attempts to purchase votes.

The overall polling percentage averaged between 65 and 70. On the whole, the day passed off peacefully though the air was thick with tension since dawn. Most of the incidents took place outside polling stations.

The major incident was at Kotkapura where the Congress supporters objected to alleged purchasing of votes by the Akalis in the vicinity of Jaitu octroi post polling centres. A car of an Akali leader was damaged. It was here that while covering the incident staff photographer Ajey Verma of Chandigarh-based Punjabi daily, Desh Sewak, was assaulted. It is alleged that the Akali candidate, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, who arrived at the scene, himself beat up the photographer and snatched his camera. The complaint also mentions the name of Mr Jagdish Singh Walia, Markfed, Chairman and Mr Raj Kumar Bansal, alias Lahoria, who were involved in manhandling the lensman. This led to a strong protest by the press corps at Kotkapura police station.

After hectic consultations at the highest level and taking cognisance of the enquiries being made by the Election Commission from New Delhi, the police finally relented and registered only a complaint in the "roznamcha" under an innocuous IPC section (323) and managed to return the snatched camera and flash-gun to the reporter. Later, the SSP, Faridkot, Mr A.S. Rai, told TNS that the photographer had withdrawn the complaint while the report in the "roznamcha" stands.

The incident saw the Divisional Commissioner, Mr Jagpal Singh Sandhu, and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammad Mustfa, rushed to Kotkapura.

Hectic consultations on mobile phones with the Director-General of Police, Mr Sarabjit Singh, and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, were held. Kotkapura town was tense.

He was rushed to the local civil hospital immediately where he told mediapersons that he was attacked with lathis by certain activists of the SAD (B). He alleged that an Akali activist also fired a shot in the air. He sustained injuries on his head and arms.

The cause of the clash is not yet clear. Meanwhile, the Ferozepore Cantonment Station Head Officer (SHO), Mr Nazar Singh, told reporters that a case had been registered in connection with the reported incident.

The PPCC (Kisan Cell) former Chairman, Mr Gurnaib Singh Brar, and the DCC former Propaganda Secretary, Mr Ashok Gupta, have condemned the incident and demanded immediate arrest of those involved in the incident.

The local Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Returning Officer, Mr Gurdev Singh Sidhu, said except for three incidents of minor clashes so far, the polling was peaceful and smooth and there was no tension in the constituency.

He, however, said that besides an incident at Ferozepore Cantonment, clashes occurred at Chak Suhelewala, native village of the SAD-BJP combine nominee, Mr Zora Singh Mann, and Chak Jand Singh Wala in Jalalabad subdivision.

ABOHAR: Over 100 SAD-BJP workers allegedly attacked the main election office of the Congress candidate, Mr Hans Raj Josan, at Gaushala Road here at 11 a.m. Mr Joshan's supporters were allegedly beaten up with lathis. Medical officer at the civil hospital said five persons with multiple injuries had been admitted to the hospital.

Leaders of the Congress later showed three vehicles allegedly damaged by the mob to mediapersons.

PHAGWARA: Polling here was slow and lacked lustre today. The polling was about 27 per cent in the first five hours. There were hardly any queues outside poll booths at Town Hall Government Primary School and SDKMV Gaushala Road when this reporter visited these around noon.

However, timely intervention prevented a clash between BJP and Congress workers at Gaushala Road. Activists of the Congress raised anti-government slogans.

MALERKOTLA: Rain disrupted polling in Malerkotla town for about one hour and because of water accumulation voters could not reach the polling booths even after the rain stopped. About 50 per cent polling was reported from the town while it was 60 to 70 per cent in the rural areas.

FATEHGARH SAHIB: On the completion of polling in the district 62 per cent polling was recorded in the Amloh Assembly segment and 58 per cent in the Sirhind Assembly segment of Ropar (R) Parliament seat. The police has seized 24 cartons of wine and registered the case against three persons.

FAZILKA: In spite of the keen triangular contest, the polling in the Fazilka Assembly constituency was dull and overall polling percentage was about 50. Allegations of intimidation were levelled against the supporters of the ruling party candidate.

NANGAL: Moderate to low polling was witnessed in the Nangal Assembly constituency here today. But for the loyal voters of different parties, very few people came out to vote. The polling in the town remained at about 35 per cent, while in the villages it was about 45 per cent, according to reports reaching here. Rain further affected the voter turn out adversely. Barring a few stray incidents the polling remained peaceful by and large.

PATIALA: Sharp showers and indifferent spirits resulted in a decline in the voting percentage in the Patiala constituency from 63 per cent last time to 57.5 per cent now.

The decline was most pronounced in the urban areas of Patiala and Rajpura where the voting percentage was 45 per cent and 53 per cent, respectively. Dakala again topped with the highest number of votes being polled this time also though the percentage dropped from 70 per cent to 66 per cent.

Returning Officer Jasbir Singh Bir said the voting went off smoothly with only two incidents involving persons trying to cast bogus votes in Rajpura and pasting of posters near the polling station being reported in Chhat village in the Banur Assembly segment. There was a complaint of bogus voting in Lohgarh by the Sarb Hind SAD and the Congress. District police chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu said a case had been registered following stone throwing between two groups at Todarpur village in the Samana Assembly segment.

The following is the percentage wise voting in the constituency:— Patiala — 45, Dakala — 66, Samana — 62, Shatrana — 60, Ghanaur — 56, Banur — 56, Rajpura — 53, Lehra — 60 and Sunam —60.

In a bizarre incident 12 persons including the polling staff, deployed at the Makdumpura polling booth 66, 67 were admitted to the local Civil Hospital, in an unconscious condition.

The Congress candidate, Mr Balbir Singh alleged that the polling staff and his party agents were served tea laced with some intoxicant, to facilitate rigging. He said a fax message had been sent to the Chief Election Commissioner, demanding a repoll in Makdumpura.

When TNS visited the hospital, at 5.30 p.m. the presiding officer, 7 polling staff members and 2 Congress agents and 2 Congress workers, were still unconscious.

In the rural areas of the Jalandhar parliamentary constituency, maximum voting took place in the native villages of the three main contestants with over 50 per cent polling over in Kangna village by 12.15 p.m. of the SAD-BJP candidate Mrs Prabhjot Kaur, Mr Balbir Singh, the Congress candidate's village Shanker also saw some brisk polling, with 55 per cent votes polled till noon. Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala's village Wadala, also saw in heavy polling till noon.

In the Nakodar segment in Guheer village 25 per cent votes had been polled by 10.15, with a total votes of 776, 190 votes had been polled. In Aluwaal village a 90-year-old woman, barely able to walk, came to cast her vote. "I have always voted since the first general elections", she said.

In the urban segments, polling in Kapurthala was 31 per cent, Phagwara registered 26 per cent and Sultanpur 36 per cent till 3 p.m.

In the Phillaur parliamentary constituency the polling was relatively higher in the rural areas than in the urban segments. In Shah Salimpur village in the Nurmahal segment, the Congress candidate's booth was forcibly shifted by the police and workers of the SAD.

According to the available official estimates the rural areas polled an average of 45 per cent 50 per cent votes and the urban segments polled an average of 35 per cent to 40 per cent votes till 4 p.m. in the Phillaur parliamentary constituency.

ROPAR: About 54 per cent votes were cast in the Ropar (reserved) parliamentary constituency while polling was held in all nine Assembly segments of this constituency peacefully and smoothly, Mr K.S. Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner said. Maximum polling was held in the Amloh segment and minimum in the Khanna segment. The Assembly segment-wise polling break down was Amloh (61 per cent), Sirhind (58), Chamkaur Sahib (57), Morinda (56) Dhuri (53), Nabha (51), Samrala (50), Kharar (49) and Khanna (47).

Regarding the suspension of polling at a polling booth in Rashidpur village near Chamkaur Sahib, Mr Sidhu said a candidate's camp belonging to the Tohra group was put up in 200 metres from the polling station. Due to this some trouble arose there which caused the suspension of polling briefly there. The camp was later shifted.

He said two cases of impersonation were detected in SAS Nagar, a part of the Kharar Assembly segment.

At Morinda, poll staff at booth No 22 at Saint John's Public School complained that they had spent a sleepless night as they were shifted four time before the polling booth was finally set up here.

KAPURTHALA: Three persons were injured in a clash between Akali and Congress workers at Nizampur village over polling of bogus votes in polling booth no 119 in the village falling in the Bholath Assembly constituency of the Phillaur Lok Sabha seat.

Congress workers Sarwan Singh, who was admitted to the Civil Hospital here alleged that the Akali workers stabbed him. He said Chinder Singh, Congress supporter, came to cast his vote but found that his vote had already been cast and when he alleged that Akali workers had cast his vote it resulted in a clash between Congress and Akali workers. The police fired in the air to disperse the workers. Bricks and stones were thrown at one and other in the clash. Balwinder Singh, Akali worker, and Dharminder Singh, Congress were injured. Balwinder Singh is admitted to the Civil Hospital at Dhilwan.

Mr V.K. Singh Deputy Commissioner visited the village and claimed that voting continued in the village.

Another clash took place between an Akali worker and Congress municipal councillor in the local Shalamar Garden over the casting of vote by an Akali supporter but, however, it was amicably patched up by both sides.

KHARAR: The polling in Morinda segment of the Ropar Lok Sabha constituency remained peaceful and about 56 per cent voters used their franchise.

Mr Amarjit Singh Dhindsa, SDM, Kharar-cum-Assistant Returning Officer Morinda, said according to preliminary estimate about 56 per cent voters turned up to vote. The total number of voters in Morinda were 1,38,000 and for them 164 booths were set up and 656 employees, besides security personnel, were deputed. He claimed that polling by and large was peaceful.

According to information, a large number of voters turned up to vote at Mirzapur village where they had earlier given call to boycott the polls.

Similarly, about 49 per cent voters used their right to franchise in Kharar segment.

EVMs — a hit in Patiala
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Sept 5 — Electronic voting machines (EVMs) proved to be a hit with the electorate of this constituency which is among the three constituencies where votes were cast electronically.

‘‘Nothing could be easier’’, said Mr Harpal Singh, a voter of Lalru coming out of the polling station after having cast his vote. ‘‘All I have to do is to wait for the beep noise to ensure that my vote is cast’’, he said.

Voters felt happy to be free of the rigour of having to cast a stamp impression in the right column, as was done earlier. Last minute decisions resulted in many votes being invalidated. "Now I have the psychological satisfaction of knowing my vote cannot be fiddled with", said Jagjit, another voter at Dera Bassi. "I always used to feel there could be some bungling at the level of the presiding officer or during counting. These doubts have been removed", he added.

Those manning the polling booths were also happy. Votes are being cast more speedily than before, they said. Everyone has learnt about the system after simple instructions, persons manning the polling booths said. "We just tell them to spot the symbol of their choice and then wait for the beep, the election staff said.

The polling staff, in various booths across the constituency, was also in a more relaxed frame of mind than usual. The danger of tinkering with votes or damaging ballot boxes had been removed, they said.

A total of 1,481 EVMs were put to use in the constituency and 479 machines were in reserve to be used in case of any eventuality. Returning Officer Jasbir Singh Bir said only one machine had failed, which was promptly replaced and polling continued unabated. Mr Bir said the machines had functioned smoothly and all political parties were happy with the sealing and other in built measures in the machines to ensure a fair poll.

Cong activist dies of heart attack
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 5 — Congress activist Jagdish Dilawari suffered a heart attack and later died in a hospital, following a clash with BJP workers here today.

District Congress Committee (Urban) chief Jugal Kishore alleged that a group of BJP workers, led by city Mayor Subhash Sharma, entered the BBK DAV College polling station on Lawrence Road and tried to intimidate the polling staff on duty.

This was objected to by Mr Subash Dilawari, a brother of the deceased, who was manhandled by armed security guards accompanying the Mayor.

Seeing his younger brother, Jagdish Dilawari present at the polling station,suffered a heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital where he died.

A large number of angry Congress workers led by Mr Jugal Kishore, staged a ‘dharna on Lawrence Road demanding the registration of a case against the Mayor.

Two persons received minor injuries in poll related incidents of violence in different parts of the district.

A CPI activist Raj Kumar received head injuries after he objected to casting of bogus votes by a rival party at a booth in the local Nanakpura locality.

In another incident in Ghastipura village, in the Jandiala Assembly segment of the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency, a Congress worker sustained minor injuries, caused by a sharp-edged weapon when he was attacked by ruling SAD workers while he was going to cast his vote.

Meanwhile, Congress workers led by Mr R.L. Bhatia, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Congress candidate, held a protest dharna in front of the polling station and blocked traffic after the death of Mr Jagdish Dilawri.

The Congress workers were demanding the arrest of Mr Subhash Sharma Mayor Municipal Corporation, who described the death of polling agent as ‘natural death’. Mr Bhatia and his supporters also went to police station Civil Lines for the registration of an FIR against the Mayor. However, Mr Subhash Sharma denied that the death of Mr Dilawri was a result of ‘intimidation’ as alleged by the Congress. Mr Subash Sharma who is also a senior BJP leader however, admitted that he had gone to the polling station along with his security guards being polling agent of Mr Sat Paul Dogra an Independent candidate. He claimed that he had to intervene when the brother of the deceased Mr Subhash Dilawri was being beaten up. He admitted that there was a clash between the BJP and Congress workers inside the polling station.

However, Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma, president, city Congress alleged that Mayor, Mr Subash Sharma, had beaten up the deceased in front of him. "I am a witness to the SAD incident," he claimed.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has given a call for an indefinite bandh from tomorrow in protest against death of Jagdish Dilawri.

Dr Raj Kumar, General Secretary, PPCC, said the bandh would continue till Mr Subash Sharma was arrested.

Polling staff unaware of EVM use

AMRITSAR, Sept 5 (UNI) — Not a single vote could be cast at polling booth No. 69 in Singwala village of the Faridkot Lok Sabha constituency for two-and-a-half hours this morning because poll staff was unaware about the operation of the electronic voting machine (EVM).

According to official reports here, a special team was rushed to the booth for on-the-spot training to the staff after which the EVM became operational.

Besides Faridkot, EVMs were for the first time used in the Patiala and Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituencies out of 13 in Punjab for today's Lok Sabha poll.

Reports said the polling staff at the booth had no knowledge about the operation of the EVM. None of the polling staff members were imparted training in handling of the EVM.

Tipsy poll officer replaced

AMRITSAR, Sept 5 (UNI) — A tipsy Presiding Officer was replaced in the Jandiala Assembly segment of the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency this morning.

Soon after polling began at 7 a.m., Presiding Officer Kulwant Singh was allegedly found under the influence of liquor at Booth Number 23 in Gunowal village.

The village panchayat taking strong exception to this forced the stoppage of polling for some time. The polling was resumed only after an Assistant Presiding Officer took over the charge.

Another tipsy Presiding Officer in Awankha village of the Dinanagar Assembly segment of the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha constituency was replaced after Poll Observer Rakesh Mohan found him drunk on duty this morning, a report from Jalandhar said.

The District Election Officer, Mr S.K. Sandhu, forthwith ordered the replacement of the Presiding Officer, Mr Iqbal Singh, and his medical examination, the report added.

Liquor "seized"

JALANDHAR Sept 5 (UNI) — About 250 cartons of liquor were "seized" from a marriage palace at Raikot in the Sangrur constituency by CPM activists and the Punjabi Bhalai Manch led by Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, former Union Minister, on Saturday night. Mr Ramoowalia and Ludhiana District Congress (Rural) president Harmohinder Singh MLA, (Raikot), alleged that the liquor was meant for distribution by ruling Akali Party candidate and supporters of Union Minister Surjit Singh Barnala in the constituency.

Two Punjab Congress leaders expelled
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 5 — Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, has expelled Mr Gurbir Singh Sandhu, president of the District Congress Committee, Ferozepore; and Mr Kewal Krishan, president of the Block Congress Committee, Jalalabad; from the Congress for six years for their anti-party activities.

Mrs Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, general secretary of the party, in a statement said both leaders were campaigning against the official candidate of the party, Mr Hans Raj Joshan, in the Ferozepore constituency.

Major Harminder Singh Bhullar (retd) has been appointed president of the District Congress Committee, Ferozepore.

She said Mr Harcharan Singh Hero, party's Observer in the Ferozepore Lok Sabha constituency, had reported to Capt Amarinder Singh with as regards the anti-party activities of Mr Sandhu and Mr Krishan.

NCC cadets do good job
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 5 — Cadets of the NCC deployed at various polling booths falling under the jurisdiction of NCC Group, Patiala, have done a commendable job.

According to a spokesperson, the cadets were co-opted with the state police personnel to help the voters in the discharge of their right.

The cadets had been pooled from various educational institutions located at SAS Nagar, Patiala, Nabha, Dera Bassi, Samana, Bela, Ropar and Naya Nangal.

Rakhra to promote Punjabi culture
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Sept 5 — Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra, SAD-BJP candidate, along with Punjabi theatre and folk artists will organise shows on Punjabi culture and plays on patriotism and Sikhism written by Punjabi dramatists to propagate the message of universal brotherhood by our great Gurus.

Mr Rakhra gave an assurance yesterday regarding the construction of new open-air theatres and the renovation of the old ones.

The assurance was given to a cultural delegation of prominent singers, poets and theatre artists led by Mr Karnail Singh, former Chairman, Patiala Market Committee and sarpanch Majri Akalian, who has recently built up an open-air theatre at Majri Akalian village on Sirhind road in the memory of his father Gurbax Singh under the newly formed trust entitled Gurbax Singh Memorial Sports and Cultural Trust, Patiala.

Statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh shifted
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Sept 5 — A statue of Bhagat Singh installed on the crossing of the Moga-Kotkapura and Baghapurana Mudki road at Baghapurana town 15 km from here, by the freedom fighters of the region several years ago, has been shifted from there and installed near a nullah passing through a village by the Baghapurana Municipal Committee. No senior leader raised any objection against it.

Certain freedom fighters of the town raised objections but nobody bothered about it. Residents of that town have demanded that the statue be again installed at the old site.