Aware of their power, voters keep date with ballot

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 4

Voters came out in large numbers today, especially in rural constituencies of the district despite cold weather.

Bhucho witnessed maximum turnout in the district while Bathinda (Urban) lagged behind.

The district registered 82.39 per cent polling, more than that recorded in 2012 Assembly elections.

All six Assembly seats in the district witnessed peaceful polling today, barring a few incidents of clashes.

Bhucho Assembly segment registered maximum polling at 87 per cent while the Bathinda (Urban) constituency witnessed 72.77 per cent polling.

The voting percentage has dipped in Bathinda (Urban) as compared to the Assembly elections in 2012.

In 2012, the constituency registered 75 per cent polling votes and in 2007, it was 72 per cent.

Voting started at 6 am and it continued till 6.30 pm. It picked up pace as the day progressed.

It was after 11 am that a sharp rise in the number of voters was witnessed.

As per the first figures of voting that arrived at 9 am, Talwandi Sabo and Bhucho began at an enthusiastic note, registering nine and eight per cent turnout in the first hour while Rampura and Bathinda (Urban) started on a slow note and witnessed only one and two per cent polling.

By 2 pm, Rampura and Maur witnessed 53 per cent polling.

Till 5 pm, Bhucho witnessed 87 per cent polling, Maur and Talwandi Sabo witnessed 85 per cent each, Bathinda (Rural) 82 per cent, Rampura 84 per cent and Bathinda (Urban) witnessed 71 per cent polling.

The security at all booths remained tight except in some areas of Bathinda (Urban) constituency such as Amarpura Basti, Jogi Nagar and others where paramilitary force was not deployed.

District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori thanked the polling staff and voters for peaceful conduct of poll.

The polling staff started holding mock polling early in the day and remained busy till the end of voting.

The EVMs would be sealed and deposited at the IHM and PESCO where a strong room was made late night.