Poll percentage in district drops by 12 per cent

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 5

The overall voter turnout in the Assembly elections in the state increased to 77.37 per cent as compared to 78.6 per cent in the 2012 elections. On the contrary, the district recorded a downward trend as voter turnout decreased to 60.45 per cent when compared to the 71.98 per cent in the 2012 poll.

Of the total 11 constituencies in the district, eight have shown a decrease in the voter turnout. The remaining three, too, have shown an insignificant rise in the number of voters, who exercised their right.

The maximum drop in poll percentage, 13.84 per cent, has been witnessed in the Majitha constituency represented by SAD Cabinet minister and heavy weight Bikram Singh Majitha.

Other segments, which witnessed a fall, include Ajnala, where the percentage fell from 84.12 to 79, Rajasansi 82.51 per cent to 70 per cent, Amritsar (North) 68.29 per cent to 63 per cent, Amritsar (East) from 66.25 per cent to 63 per cent, Amritsar (South) from 63.62 per cent to 60 per cent, Attari from 75.69 per cent to 70 per cent, Baba Bakala from 72.92 per cent to 69 per cent.

The only three constituencies, which have shown upward trend, include Amritsar (West) from 57.60 per cent to 58 per cent, Amritsar (Central) from 64.50 per cent to 65 per cent, and Jandiala from 74.45 per cent to 75 per cent.

Even in neighbouring Tarn Taran district, the voter turnout has gone down from 79.57 per cent to 74.25 per cent, which is five per cent. The Khadoor Sahib constituency, the last to go for bypoll in the state, recorded a drop of 11 per cent as only 71 per cent voters turned up at polling booths.

The voter turnout in Patti dropped from 78 per cent to 76 per cent, in Khemkaran from 83 per cent to 78 per cent and in the Tarn Taran constituency from 77 per cent to 72 per cent.

Who will win?

Amritsar: A day after the polling, people are now juggling names of those, who will win the election. Evening walkers at Company Garden were heard discussing future of candidates. People have divided opinion on the next Assembly. Some see a hung House while activists and sympathizers expect next government as per their personal aspirations.

AAP workers are supporting different names, including Bhagwant Mann, HS Phoolka and Jaranil Singh. However, Congress workers have no doubt on who will the CM in case their party forms government. Joginder Singh, a local resident said, “It is tough to wait for 35 days to know results. Discussions will continue till the final outcome is announced. No one can predict accurate results.”